The world of Formula One witnessed a frenzy when, after an impressive six world titles with Mercedes, the legendary Lewis Hamilton announced his decision to join Ferrari in 2025. Alexis Ohanian, husband of tennis icon Serena Williams, was among those swept up in the excitement, proudly showcasing his newly acquired Ferrari gear and echoing the sentiment of many with his rallying cry, “LFG Lewis Hamilton!” This dedication comes in the wake of Hamilton’s powerful response to Toto Wolff’s ‘shelf life’ comment, a response that has further cemented his ‘champion mentality’ in the eyes of fans, including Ohanian.
Hamilton, a seven-time Formula One world champion, was seen at a spacious London studio on Valentine’s Day, his attention riveted on a majestic black stallion named Aroma. Despite initial unease, Hamilton quickly formed a bond with Aroma, engaging in a series of questions about the horse’s origins and habits. This bonding session, part of a meticulously planned photoshoot, aimed to symbolize Hamilton’s much-anticipated switch from Mercedes to Ferrari. The idea was to capture an image of Hamilton with a rearing black horse, a nod to Ferrari’s iconic logo.
Hamilton, with a year left on his Mercedes contract, utilized his exit clause to jump ship to Ferrari in 2024. In an in-depth interview with TIME, Hamilton elaborated on his decision, expressing the thrill he felt about diving into something new. “I needed to throw myself into something uncomfortable again,” he stated, adding that the thought of wearing the red suit for the first time had him more excited than he had ever been.
In response to Toto Wolff’s comments, Hamilton was firm in his assertion of his unique position in the sport. “Don’t ever compare me to anybody else,” he said. “I’m the first and only Black driver that’s ever been in this sport. I’m built different. You can’t compare me to another 40-year-old, past or present, Formula One driver in history.”
Alexis Ohanian, Serena Williams’ husband, took to Instagram to share snippets of Hamilton’s interview, showcasing his admiration for the F1 champion. The sentiment was echoed by 1996 FI World Champion Damon Hill, who captioned a similar post with the word, “Unique.”
Hamilton’s incredible journey in the sport has garnered him a fervent fan base, including Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian. The couple has been vocal in their support, especially when Hamilton broke his two-year winless streak at the British Grand Prix, becoming the first F1 driver to win nine times on any track and extending his F1 record to 104 wins. Williams had then commented, “Don’t let anyone tell you what you can’t do you better than everyone!”
Serena Williams and Lewis Hamilton’s mutual admiration and support have been a constant throughout their respective careers. Williams once credited Hamilton as the greatest driver of their generation. Hamilton, on his part, has often cited Serena Williams as his source of inspiration, praising her resilience and warrior spirit. He also spoke about the importance of mindset in achieving success in sports.
Hamilton fondly recalled watching the Williams sisters play tennis as a child with his father. Their courage and talent in a field where they were the only ones who looked like them gave him hope and made him believe in the possibility of achieving greatness. “They made me believe that superheroes are real,” he said, adding that he never thought he would one day call these “heroes” his friends.
Hamilton has, in the past, penned heartfelt messages to Serena Williams, including a touching note on her retirement in 2022 that read, “We will never see another Serena.” This bond between the Williams family and Lewis Hamilton, beyond their meteoric professional careers, is truly unique and heartwarming.
