Having spent nearly 20 years in F1, Lewis Hamilton has had a lasting impact on the sport. Yet, he hopes to continue to do more and have a positive impact on the lives of people not only in motorsports but also in several other industries. An advocate for change and inclusivity, the seven-time F1 world champion recently reflected on what he wants his legacy to be.
Speaking to RollingStone in a recent interview, he revealed he finds legacy talk “really awkward.” He does not wake up each day thinking about the legacy he would want to leave behind. Instead, his aim remains to try to be the best version of himself.
Moreover, the 39-year-old focuses on what he can do with the platform that he has. With a microphone in his hand, Hamilton thinks about what message he can share in his time on the planet.
Ultimately, his biggest concern remains what he can do to make the world a better place. “That’s what I’m thinking about every day,” he said.
#F1 | Lewis Hamilton talks legacy:
“I find legacy talk really awkward, because I don’t wake up every day and think of a legacy that I want to leave. I’m not working towards a legacy; I work towards, ultimately, trying to be the best version of myself, in the hope that the… pic.twitter.com/AFlFdE7zif
— deni (@fiagirly) September 5, 2024
In his mission, the future Ferrari driver has often prioritized helping children, women, and people from various ethnicities. He has been fighting for inclusivity for most of his F1 tenure and continues to lead the charge. For the 39-year-old, winning titles isn’t as important as bringing positive change.
Two years ago, Hamilton addressed the topic of leaving behind a legacy that others would look up to. Rather than people knowing him as F1’s most successful driver in terms of titles, the Brit wants people to know him for something more meaningful.
Speaking to ESPN, Hamilton detailed he wants to be the individual who helped thousands of kids or be the guy who spoke on behalf of a group of people in need of attention. Instead of people remembering him for his racing talent, he hopes people remember him for simply being a good human.