The Greatest: Lewis Hamilton

“Still I Rise” – these are the words inscribed across the back of Lewis Hamilton’s helmet and tattooed across his shoulders. Hamilton is a British racing driver currently competing in Formula One for the Mercedes-AMG Petronas team. One of the most successful drivers in the sport, Hamilton has a record seven World Championship titles (tied with Michael Schumacher), and holds the outright record for the most wins. Born and raised in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, England, Hamilton’s road to unprecedented success started at Rye House, an unassuming little go-kart track tucked away between a supermarket distribution center and a junction of two railway lines. It was there Hamilton went at age 8, with his father Anthony and a second-hand kart, and took his first step toward the motorsport ladder. Hamilton is in the G.O.A.T conversation. Respect is hard earned in Formula One, but he has it from every one of his peers. With his relentless speed on the track and refusal to conform to stereotypes, Hamilton is breaking all the barriers and furthering Formula One’s global following, in part due to his high-profile lifestyle and environmental and social activism. One of his latest accomplishments: being listed in the 2020 issue of TIME magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world. His achievements continue to inspire and astound people around the globe.

“I love this planet. It is so beautiful. I want to help and have some positive impact, even if it’s just helping one kid get through the bad stuff.” – Lewis Hamilton