Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time Formula 1 world champion, has sold his entire car collection valued at approximately £13 million, marking an unexpected shift from his well-known passion for cars. This decision, announced ahead of the 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, highlights Hamilton’s waning interest in road driving as he embraces art instead.
Hamilton’s Change of Heart on Road Driving
<pAlthough known as a racing driver and car enthusiast, Hamilton has openly expressed his diminished enthusiasm for owning and driving road cars over recent years. In a rare candid moment, he revealed, “I don't have any cars anymore,” confirming that he had gotten rid of his entire collection. “I'm more into art nowadays. If I was going to get a car, it would be the F40. But that's a nice piece of art,” he added, underscoring his preference for artistic value over automotive speed.
This lack of enthusiasm for road driving first became evident during his 2019 Netflix interview on David Letterman’s show, My Next Guest Needs No Introduction. When asked about his driving habits, Hamilton mentioned being pulled over recently and reflected on a more patient approach to driving.
“The thing is, back in the day, probably in the ’80s it would have been cool, ‘No wonder, he’s a racing driver, of course he’s going to speed on the road,’ but today, you’re viewed so much more, there are kids watching you,”
he said.
“Honestly, I’m really chilled on the road. I don’t particularly enjoy driving, so I don’t drive a lot.”
Public Perception and Anecdotes from Hamilton
Hamilton’s relaxed attitude toward road driving caused some amusement, particularly when he clarified his love for racing contrasted with his road habits.
“Racing, I like. That came out wrong. I love the racing part, but there’s no competition on the road. And also, there’s a lot of crazy drivers out there,”
he explained.
One memorable story involved a police officer recognizing him during a traffic stop:
“I got flashing lights behind me and he came to the window, and he’s like ‘Who do you think you are, Lewis Hamilton?’ and he looked down like ‘Oh, jeez.’ It was really cool,”
Hamilton recounted.
Early Experiences with Road Cars
In an episode of Top Gear’s 10th season, Hamilton surprised presenter Jeremy Clarkson by revealing his choice of road vehicle—a diesel GL420 SUV.
“If we’re on the road, [my dad] truly believes he’s a better driver than me, and that if he’d had the opportunity, he would be in Formula 1,”
Hamilton laughed.
“You know what, I drive a GL420. It’s a diesel,”
he added as Clarkson questioned his selection.
“It’s a pimp wagon, you know? You can fit 24-inch rims on it and just lean back and drive, man. That’s all you need on the road.”
By 2020, Hamilton transitioned to an electric vehicle, stating,
“I don’t drive any of the cars that I own any more. I only drive my EQC,”
referring to his Mercedes EQC model.
Ongoing Disinterest in Driving Beyond Racing
Hamilton reiterated his disinterest in non-racing driving during a 2022 interview on Jimmy Kimmel Live. “No, I don’t like driving,” he said plainly.
“People often ask me, but I don’t like driving at all if I’m not going fast.”
He further explained the stress he experiences in traffic and his preference for being a passenger.
“I don’t like traffic. It’s very stressful for me. I’m a good passenger. I actually only drive when I go to visit my parents. I prefer to give the keys to my friends,”
he admitted.
Details of Hamilton’s Car Collection and Future Focus
The cars Hamilton has sold include high-profile models such as a Pagani Zonda 760 LH and a Ferrari LaFerrari, along with several other exotic and exclusive automobiles. Despite his vast collection, his growing disinterest in road driving made this large-scale sale appear inevitable.
Instead of investing in vehicles, Hamilton is now focusing his interests on art, signaling a major lifestyle shift from speed and engines to creativity and visual aesthetics. This change may impact how fans and the automotive community view his post-racing pursuits in the coming years.
