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Lewis Hamilton is motorsports' richest driver — here's how he makes and spends his millions

Lewis Hamilton
Bryn Lennon/Getty Images
  • Lewis Hamilton is the biggest star in motorsports and takes home $57 million a year from his Mercedes contract.

  • He is one of the best drivers of all time, tied with Michael Schumacher with seven F1 championships.

  • Hamilton's wealth is often spent on cars, boats, planes, fashion, and high-profile relationships, including a new one with Shakira.

Lewis Hamilton is the biggest star in motorsports and one of the biggest stars in sports.

He is one of the best drivers of all time, tied with Michael Schumacher with seven Formula One world titles.

As the only Black driver in F1 history, he has used his voice to promote equality and has campaigned for other issues, such as LGTBQ+ rights and environmental concerns.

Hamilton's success on the track has earned him millions, making him the 17th highest-paid athlete in the world. Take a look below at his fabulous life.

Sam Cooper contributed to an earlier version of this post.

Hamilton is the biggest star in Formula One. He signed a new deal with Mercedes in 2021, which Forbes estimated earned the British star $57 million in 2022.

Lewis Hamilton waves a British flag at the British Grand Prix
Hamilton is the star of F1. The Brit has been racing since 2007.Bryn Lennon - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images

Source: Forbes

The 7-time champion still takes in more than his top rival, Max Verstappen. The 2021 champion makes $46 million per year on the track.

Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen
Lewis Hamilton (left) and Max Verstappen have been portrayed as bitter rivals.Mario Renzi - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images

Source: Forbes

Hamilton also takes in an estimated $8 million in endorsements annually.

A general view of the Tommy Hilfiger fashion store in Regent Street displaying its Lewis Hamilton range in its window display
The Mercedes team merchandise is also designed by Tommy HilfigerJohn Keeble/Getty Images

Source: Forbes

 

He has lucrative deals with Tommy Hilfiger, Monster Energy, Puma, IWC, Sony, Bose, Bell Helmets, MV Augusta Motorcycles, Petronas, and Gran Turismo Sport.

Lewis Hamilton Mercedes Commercial
Lewis Hamilton Mercedes CommercialYouTube/BenzTNT

Hamilton has an estimated net worth of $285 million.

Lewis Hamilton
Tobias SCHWARZ / AFP

Source: CelebrityNetWorth

Unsurprisingly for an F1 driver, Hamilton is a fan of cars.

Lewis Hamilton
Instagram/lewishamilton

His collection is not just limited to Mercedes either. Cars reported to be included in his collection include a $1.15 million McLaren P1, two $1.56 million Ferrari LaFerraris, and a $2.72 million Mercedes-AMG Project One.

He also used to own a custom-made Pagani Zonda.

Lewis Hamilton Pagani Zonda
YouTube/ExoticCarSpotter

However, Hamilton reportedly wanted to cut back on his carbon footprint, so he sold the car for $10 million.

Source: Motor

But as Hamilton has become more environmentally conscious, his daily car of choice is the electric Mercedes-AMG EQS with a base price of $102,000.

Lewis Hamilton electric Mercedes
Mercedes

Source: Vanity Fair

It's not just road cards, either. Hamilton has described himself as a "motorhead" and enjoys posting to his Instagram pictures of him with his latest vehicle of choice, including this off-road buggy.

Lewis Hamilton
Instagram/LewisHamilton

He also spent $4 million on a 90-foot Sunseeker yacht, which is typically docked in Monaco.

Lewis Hamilton Yacht
Twitter/Sunseeker

Source: The Sports Rush

In 2017, Hamilton shared a video of himself partying in Monaco aboard the much larger 270-foot Alfa Nero yacht.

Lewis Hamilton
IG/LewisHamilton

When he's not driving, Hamilton can relax and unwind in one of his four reported properties.

Lewis Hamilton and the New York City skyline
Hamilton owns an apartment in New YorkBryn Lennon/Getty Images and Gary Hershorn/Getty Images

Hamilton owns a $43 million New York penthouse, a $24 million London mansion, and houses in Geneva and the racing drivers' favorite, Monte Carlo.

Source: The UK Sun

He also used to own a $22.5 million private jet but sold it in 2019.

Lewis Hamilton Jet
Twitter/Lewis Hamilton

Read more: Business Insider

As far as rumored or confirmed relationships go, there have been many that were notable, including (clockwise from top-left) Nicki Minaj, Irina Shayk, Rihanna, Sofia Richie, Jodie Ma, Nicole Scherzinger, and Winnie Harlow.

Lewis Hamilton relationships
Getty Images

According to Cosmo, Hamilton has also been linked to Danielle Lloyd, Veronica Valle, Rita Ora, Barbara Palvin, and Kendall Jenner.

Most recently, Hamilton is said to be in "the early stages of dating."

inger Shakira attends the screening of "Elvis" during the 75th annual Cannes film festival at Palais des Festivals on May 25, 2022 in Cannes, France.
inger Shakira attends the screening of "Elvis" during the 75th annual Cannes film festival at Palais des Festivals on May 25, 2022 in Cannes, France.Marc Piasecki/FilmMagic/Getty Images

Hamilton and Shakira have been spotted in public together recently, and according to an anonymous source for People, they are being "fun and flirty" right now.

Hamilton is into his fashion and is often pictured arriving at the track in an array of designer clothing.

Lewis Hamilton arriving to the track
Hamilton is known for his outfit choices on the way to the trackBryn Lennon/Getty Images and Lars Baron/Getty Images

He recently joined Zendaya as one of the faces of Valentino's PP Pink campaign.

Lewis Hamilton Valentino PP Pink
Twitter/Valentino

In addition to fashion, Hamilton also spoke to Vanity Fair recently about expanding his business empire away from the track.

Lewis Hamilton Vanity Fair cover
Vanity Fair

One of his interests is "planet-friendly start-ups."

Neat Burger
Twitter

This includes expanding his London-based vegan restaurant Neat Burger to the United States with new partner Leonardo DiCaprio. The chain recently reached a valuation of $100 million, according to the Financial Times.

Source: Vanity Fair

He is also taking on Hollywood, having recently signed on as a producer for an F1 movie for Apple TV starring Brad Pitt.

Lewis Hamilton, Brad Pitt, and Tim Cook
Lewis Hamilton, Brad Pitt, and Tim Cook.Mario Renzi - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images

Read more: Brad Pitt and Lewis Hamilton are making the 'greatest racing movie ever' — here is everything we know about the project

Hamilton was also announced as one of several big-name investors in TMRW Sports, a sports, media, and entertainment company started by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.

Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy
Jamie Squire/Getty

Source: TMRW Sports

He was also recently announced as a new minority owner for the NFL's Denver Broncos.

Lewis Hamilton Denver Broncos
Twitter/Denver Broncos

While the season itself can be intense, Formula One drivers do get down time and Hamilton chooses to spend his vacationing in an array of exotic locales.

Lewis Hamilton
IG/LewisHamilton

During the 2022 summer break, Hamilton took a "humbling" and "grounding" trip to Africa.

Lewis Hamilton
Instagram/LewisHamilton

Read more: Yachts, beaches, romantic getaways, and a moving trip to Africa: How Lewis Hamilton and other F1 stars spent their summer breaks

He is also a big fan of going fast on the water, like some time he recently spent with MotoGP rider Fabio Quartararo.

Lewis Hamilton
IG/LewisHamilton

Hamilton also likes to spend his spare time making music.

Lewis Hamilton
Edmund So/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images

In an interview with Music-News.com, Danny Jones of McFly revealed that Hamilton has "a little bit of a studio set up" that he takes with him around the world during the F1 season.

The one Hamilton spoils the most is probably Roscoe, his dog of 10 years whom he calls his "best friend."

Lewis Hamilton and his dog Roscoe.
IG/LewisHamilton

Roscoe often travels with Hamilton to races and is probably one of the luckiest pups in the world. What a life.

Lewis Hamilton with his dog Roscoe
Roscoe joined Hamilton for celebrations when he won his seventh drivers' championshipClive Mason/Getty Images

Hamilton is a proud advocate for causes he believes in and has shown he is willing to put his money where his mouth is.

Lewis Hamilton
Getty/NurPhoto

He pledged $27 million to a charity called Project 44, which aims to empower young people from under-represented groups in the UK.

Source: ESPN

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