Hamilton’s influence off the track
While Hamilton’s results on the track have not met expectations since joining Ferrari, his influence away from racing remains unmatched.
Even amid the dominance of McLaren and Red Bull, Hamilton’s move to Ferrari generated enormous attention earlier this year.
His official announcement, accompanied by a striking photo in front of the iconic “Casa Ferrari,” became one of the most shared and discussed images across social media.
Hamilton currently boasts more followers on Instagram than F1’s official account, with over 41 million followers compared to the sport’s 38.9 million.
His ability to transcend the sport has made him one of the most bankable personalities in global entertainment, appealing to brands in fashion, sustainability, and lifestyle.
SportsPro described him as a “cultural icon” and praised his “authentic, influential, and attractive” persona. He received the highest score of all athletes in terms of economic profitability for brands.
Charles Leclerc also made the list in 25th place, while Lando Norris ranked 41st, highlighting the growing marketing power of F1 drivers.
Record-breaking achievements and ongoing challenges
Despite his ongoing adaptation to Ferrari’s SF-25, Hamilton continues to make history.
Recently, he became the first driver in F1 history to surpass 5,000 career points, finishing the United States Grand Prix with a total of 5,004.5 points.
He leads comfortably ahead of Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel, who hold second and third place in the all-time points tally.
However, not all records are worth celebrating.
His fourth-place finish in Austin marked his 19th consecutive race without a podium, breaking an unwanted Ferrari record previously held by Didier Pironi.
The Frenchman’s 18-race podium drought in the early 1980s ended with a controversial win at the San Marino Grand Prix. Hamilton now faces similar frustration as he searches for a return to form with the Scuderia.
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