Lewis Hamilton has long been associated with fast cars on and off the track. His private garages in Monaco and Los Angeles once housed a collection worth an estimated £13 million, with highlights including a Pagani Zonda 760LH, McLaren P1, LaFerrari, and Mercedes-AMG Project One. But Hamilton revealed ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix that he has sold the entire collection. “I don’t have any cars any more,” he said. “I got rid of all my cars. I’m more into art nowadays.”
That marks a seismic shift for a driver whose off-track image was once defined by exotic machinery. The only car Hamilton admitted he might buy again would be a Ferrari F40, which he regards as more a work of art than a mode of transport. That desire ties directly into his new life at Maranello.
Why the F40 Still Matters
For Hamilton, the F40 is a cultural touchstone to him. He has openly spoken about wanting to help create a modern successor, a manually shifted, raw supercar stripped of driver aids. Earlier this year, he told journalists that he’d love to make a new Ferrari F40, a project that would blend his racing expertise with Ferrari’s design language.
The irony isn’t lost on fans: even as Hamilton sheds his collection of hypercars, he remains fixated on one of the most iconic of all time. That contrast reflects his shift in priorities, he no longer needs ownership to validate passion, but still values the artistry cars can embody.
From Environmental Stance to Artistic Passion
Hamilton’s move away from cars also aligns with his environmental commitments. He sold his private jet years ago, adopted a vegan lifestyle, and has often criticized excessive consumption. By selling the cars, he’s reinforcing those values while also opening space to pursue art collecting.
Ferrari itself has a history of blending culture and symbolism, most famously when the team stripped its cars bare of sponsors at Monza in 2001 to honor America after 9/11. In a way, Hamilton’s pivot toward art follows that same ethos, using symbols and creativity to express meaning beyond motorsport.
Why It Matters
For Formula 1, Hamilton’s decision is a reminder that even its most successful driver is not immune to reinvention. By selling off his cars, he distances himself from the stereotype of the high-rolling F1 superstar. Instead, he’s carving out a narrative that connects racing, art, and legacy.
For Ferrari, having Hamilton as both a driver and a cultural figure may pay dividends. Whether or not he ever helps shape a modern F40, his influence could make Maranello’s next halo car as much about artistry as lap times. And for fans, his garage may be empty, but his story is far from over.
