Lewis Hamilton is the living embodiment of how a person can be successful at something more than just what they’re known for. It’s no secret that Hamilton is known worldwide because of his Formula 1 career, but how he’s used his recognition to promote other causes close to his heart is what has defined him as a person. And not just that. He’s expanded his expertise to more than just F1 and is now a successful entrepreneur. So wherever he introduces himself these days, he says, “I’m Lewis Hamilton. I’m a Formula 1 driver, an entrepreneur, and an advocate for diversity and inclusion.” With all that he stands for, he believes it’s his duty to stand by like-minded people, and that’s exactly what he did for his friend LeBron James.

In a recent interview, Hamilton revealed what others expected of him when he joined F1 in 2007. He said, “I’m a businessman, an entrepreneur. I have a lot of projects that I do outside of the sport. When I got [to F1], I was constantly confronted with individuals who said, ‘You can only be a racing driver,’ or like when someone said to LeBron, ‘Shut up and dribble.’” That fueled his desire to prove them wrong, and now he’s one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the sporting industry. And he compared his situation to NBA star LeBron James and how he, too, went against the odds to establish himself as one of the most successful entrepreneurs.

Like Hamilton, James owns a myriad of companies like SpringHill Company—a media production company focused on creating diverse and innovative content—and UNINTERRUPTED — a multimedia platform that gives athletes a voice and a platform to express themselves. While referring to all he’s done, Hamilton added, “He’s got so many other facets within his life, and so do I, and that tapping into your creativity only helps fuel my ambitions within the sport.” 

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It’s evident Hamilton has a lot of respect for James as a sportsperson as well as a fellow entrepreneur. And the two have more than just their superstar status in common.

Lewis Hamilton and LeBron James’ efforts to help the underprivileged

A year after LeBron James started playing in the NBA, he established the LeBron James Family Foundation, which focuses on positively impacting the lives of children and young people in need, particularly those in LeBron’s hometown of Akron, Ohio. As part of the foundation’s initiatives, he started Wheels for Education, a program to reduce dropout rates by providing academic support, mentorship, and resources to help students finish their schooling. 

In an initiative along similar lines, Hamilton launched Mission 44. As per mission44.org, the initiative will “support, champion, and empower young people from underrepresented groups to succeed by narrowing opportunity gaps across society. As part of Mission 44, Lewis’ work to improve diversity within motorsport will be actioned through Ignite–a joint charitable initiative with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team.”

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What do you think about Lewis Hamilton and LeBron James’ initiatives and their work as entrepreneurs?