"Rid of all my automobiles"
Lewis Hamilton's Car Collection: From High-End Street Cars to New Passions
Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time Formula One World Champion, has sold his collection of high-end street cars, including a Pagani Zonda, Mercedes SLS, Nissan GT-R, G63 6x6, two AMG One vehicles, a McLaren F1, McLaren P1, and a LaFerrari. This decision marks a shift in focus for Hamilton, who is now pursuing his passions for art, fashion, and music.
The sale of Hamilton's cars does not signal a waning interest in fast and exclusive street cars. Instead, it represents a reallocation of his attention towards other interests. One car that Hamilton still holds in high regard is the Ferrari F40, which he considers a work of art.
Hamilton's collection also included vintage cars such as a 1966 Shelby Cobra and a 1967 Shelby Mustang GT500. His previous approach to his car collection was largely investment-driven, but the sale of his vehicles now often makes room for new acquisitions.
In 2017, Hamilton sold his McLaren F1 for $15.6 million at a Bonhams auction. His Pagani Zonda, known for its distinctive purple colour, was sold at an auction for $11 million after it was sold to a new owner who tragically crashed the car in Wales.
Hamilton's decision to sell his cars and reduce his carbon footprint mirrors that of his friend and former Formula 1 rival, Sebastian Vettel. Vettel, who switched to Aston Martin in 2021, sold his private car collection in 2021, committing himself to environmental and climate protection.
Despite the sale of his Ferrari collection, Hamilton's Ferrari fever has not completely subsided. He still harbours a desire to give the Tifosi another World Championship title. The driver who acquired the Ferrari F40 after selling his collection of street vehicles is a prominent Ferrari collector in Switzerland, although his name is not explicitly mentioned in the search results.
Hamilton and Vettel shared a camaraderie in the Formula 1 paddock during their shared time in the sport. Their mutual love for fast and exclusive street cars was a common bond between them. Vettel's switch from Ferrari to Aston Martin in 2021 marks the end of an era for this unique friendship in the world of motorsport.
