Hamilton sells £24m car collection; focus shifts to art

Lewis Hamilton Sells £24m Car Collection: A Pivot to Artistic Horizons

Monaco, September 22, 2025 – In a move that has stunned the automotive world and ignited discussions across the art scene, seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton has offloaded his legendary car collection for a staggering £24 million. The sale, finalized through a series of high-profile private auctions and discreet deals over the past few months, marks the end of an era for one of motorsport's most avid collectors. Now 40, Hamilton is redirecting his energies—and a significant portion of the proceeds—toward his burgeoning passion for contemporary art, signaling a profound personal evolution. As the dust settles on this blockbuster transaction, the focus shifts from revving engines to canvas strokes, with Hamilton poised to become a major player in the global art market.

Hamilton's decision comes at a pivotal moment in his career. Fresh off a challenging debut season with Ferrari, where he's yet to secure a podium but remains optimistic ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, the British driver has long been synonymous with speed and luxury. His garage once housed an enviable array of hypercars, classics, and limited editions, each a testament to his success on the track. Yet, in recent interviews, Hamilton has spoken candidly about a shift in priorities, driven by environmental consciousness and a quest for deeper cultural fulfillment. "I've loved cars my whole life—they're art in motion," he reflected during a press conference in Baku. "But now, I'm exploring art that stands still, that challenges and inspires in new ways."

The £24 million figure, while approximate, encompasses not just the headline-grabbing hypercars but also rare prototypes, memorabilia, and even a few track machines from his Mercedes glory days. Insiders reveal that the proceeds will fund acquisitions from emerging Black artists and installations that align with Hamilton's advocacy for diversity in the arts. This isn't mere philanthropy; it's a reinvention. As Hamilton prepares for the remainder of the 2025 F1 season, his off-track narrative is rewriting itself—from petrolhead icon to cultural connoisseur.

The Genesis of a Legendary Collection: From Karting Kid to Hypercar Hoarder

Lewis Hamilton's affinity for cars predates his F1 debut in 2007. Born in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, in 1985, young Lewis was immersed in motorsport from age six, when his father Anthony bought him a go-kart. That humble machine sparked a lifelong obsession, propelling him through the ranks of British karting and into McLaren's junior program by 1998. By the time he claimed his first world title in 2008, Hamilton was already curating a collection that blended performance with prestige.

Early acquisitions were modest by billionaire standards but poignant. His first big splurge post-title was a McLaren F1, the iconic 1990s supercar that once held the production car speed record at 240.1 mph. Valued at around £10 million today, it symbolized his breakout with McLaren, where he won six races in his rookie year. As his earnings ballooned—peaking at over £50 million annually with Mercedes—Hamilton's garage expanded exponentially. He established bases in Monaco and Los Angeles, transforming them into veritable museums of motoring excellence.

The collection's core was a mix of modern exotica and vintage flair. Standouts included the Pagani Zonda 760 LH, a one-of-one hypercar customized with Hamilton's initials, boasting a 7.3-liter V12 engine producing 760 horsepower. Priced at £11 million new, it fetched £12.5 million in a private sale earlier this year. Then there was the Mercedes-AMG One, a hybrid hypercar inspired by the 2015 F1 engine that Hamilton helped develop during his Silver Arrows tenure. Limited to 275 units at £2.2 million each, his example—complete with track data from Silverstone tests—commanded £3.8 million at auction.

Ferrari held a special allure, even before his 2025 switch from Mercedes. Hamilton owned a LaFerrari Aperto, the open-top variant of the hybrid flagship, acquired for £2.5 million in 2017. Its 950-hp powertrain and scissor doors made it a garage jewel. Complementing these were classics like the 1967 Shelby GT500 Mustang, a nod to American muscle that echoed his transatlantic lifestyle, and the McLaren P1, another "holy trinity" hypercar alongside the LaFerrari and Porsche 918 Spyder. The P1, with its plug-in hybrid setup, hinted at Hamilton's early environmental leanings, sold for £2.1 million.

By 2024, the collection numbered around 15 vehicles, with an insured value exceeding £20 million. Hamilton often shared glimpses on Instagram, amassing millions of views for posts featuring the cars parked against Monaco's harbor or California's sunsets. Yet, beneath the glamour, cracks appeared. In 2019, amid growing climate activism, he admitted to rarely driving them: "They're more like trophies now." The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated this introspection, with Hamilton selling his private jet and adopting a vegan diet. Whispers of divestment began, culminating in the full purge.

The Fire Sale: Auctions, Buyers, and Blockbuster Prices

The dispersal of Hamilton's collection was no fire sale in the literal sense but a meticulously orchestrated exit, blending public auctions with confidential negotiations. RM Sotheby's, the go-to house for automotive treasures, handled the bulk, staging events at Goodwood and Monterey in the summer of 2025. The headline lot? The Pagani Zonda 760 LH, which hammered down at £12.5 million to an anonymous Middle Eastern collector—shattering Pagani records. Bidding wars ensued, with online streams drawing 500,000 viewers.

The Mercedes-AMG One followed at Pebble Beach, where it realized £3.8 million against a £3 million estimate. A tech mogul from Silicon Valley snapped it up, citing Hamilton's input on its aerodynamics as a key draw. The LaFerrari Aperto, pristine with under 500 miles, went for £3.2 million to a European consortium, its provenance enhanced by Hamilton's signed provenance documents. Not all were hypercars; the 1967 Shelby GT500, restored to concours condition, evoked nostalgia at £450,000, purchased by a U.S. museum for public display.

Private deals padded the total. The McLaren P1 found a home with a British entrepreneur for £2.1 million, while a 1950s Ferrari 250 prototype— a lesser-known gem tied to Hamilton's Enzo admiration—quietly changed hands for £1.8 million. Track machinery, including a Mercedes W11 from his 2020 title-winning season, fetched £800,000 to a Japanese F1 archive. Memabilia like signed helmets and race-worn suits added another £500,000.

The £24 million aggregate surprised even appraisers, who pegged the pre-sale value at £22 million. Factors included Hamilton's celebrity cachet—each car bore his personal touches, from custom liveries to engraved plaques—and market timing. The 2025 collector boom, fueled by crypto fortunes and post-pandemic wanderlust, inflated prices. Sotheby's CEO Greg Lassard noted, "Lewis's cars weren't just vehicles; they were chapters of history." Proceeds, after taxes and fees (around 25%), netted Hamilton approximately £18 million, earmarked largely for art investments.

Environmental undertones permeated the sales. Hamilton stipulated eco-friendly shipping for buyers and donated 5% of proceeds—£1.2 million—to carbon offset programs. Critics praised the move as authentic activism; skeptics called it greenwashing for a publicity boost. Either way, it underscored his narrative: cars as past indulgences, art as future legacy.

Environmental Imperative: Why Hamilton Ditched the Engines

At the heart of Hamilton's divestment lies a fierce commitment to sustainability, a thread woven through his career since the 2017 Paris Climate Accord. As F1's most vocal environmentalist, he's pushed for net-zero racing by 2030, partnering with the FIA on biofuel initiatives. His personal carbon footprint—exacerbated by transatlantic flights and a fleet of gas-guzzlers—long troubled him. In a 2020 Instagram post, he revealed offsetting £1 million in emissions from his Mercedes era, but admitted, "Ownership without use feels wasteful."

The collection's idleness was stark. Hamilton, who logs 300 days on the road annually, drove his road cars perhaps a dozen times yearly. The Pagani gathered dust in Monaco; the Shelby, shipped to LA, saw more photo ops than laps. This dissonance peaked post-2024, as Ferrari's hybrid power units reminded him of greener tech. "I want my legacy to heal, not harm," he told Reuters in Baku. Selling aligned with broader shifts: ditching the jet in 2021, going plant-based in 2017, and launching Mission 44 for underrepresented talent.

The decision rippled through F1. Mercedes' Toto Wolff lauded it as "principled," while Ferrari's Fred Vasseur quipped, "He'll race our cars plenty." Public reaction split: fans mourned the lost garage tours, but activists hailed a blueprint for athlete accountability. Proceeds funneled into Mission 44's green arm, funding scholarships in sustainable design. For Hamilton, it's closure—freeing mental space from maintenance headaches toward creative pursuits.

Canvas Over Chrome: Hamilton's Deepening Dive into Art

With cars consigned to history, Hamilton's gaze turns to galleries and studios. Art has simmered in his life for years, but the sale catapults it center stage. "Art speaks without words—it's emotion, history, rebellion," he said, echoing purchases since 2018. His collection, valued at £5 million pre-sale, spans contemporary works by Black and female artists, reflecting his advocacy via the Hamilton Commission.

Key holdings include Kehinde Wiley's "A Portrait of a Young Gentleman" (2022), a £1.2 million oil on canvas reimagining Renaissance tropes with modern Black subjects—purchased at Frieze London. Wiley, who painted Barack Obama's official portrait, resonates with Hamilton's barrier-breaking ethos. Similarly, Amy Sherald's "Empire of Light" (2021), a £800,000 acrylic depicting a Black woman under starry skies, nods to his Grenadian heritage.

Hamilton's taste favors bold narratives. He owns three pieces by Derrick Adams: the "Icons" series, mixed-media collages blending Afrofuturism and pop culture, acquired for £600,000 total at Art Basel Miami 2023. Collaborations abound; his +44 fashion line with Takashi Murakami yielded NFT prints sold for £2 million in 2024, blending streetwear and anime aesthetics. A recent coup: Jordan Casteel's "Miles and Wyatt" (2020), a £1.5 million portrait of siblings in Harlem, bought at Sotheby's New York.

Post-sale, expect aggressive bidding. Hamilton eyes Basquiat's graffiti-infused works— a "Untitled (Skull)" could top £50 million—and emerging talents like Tschabalala Self, whose gender-fluid figures align with his inclusivity push. He's scouting in London, where his childhood home inspires buys from Yinka Shonibare, whose batik sculptures critique colonialism.

Beyond acquisition, Hamilton curates. In 2024, he loaned pieces to the Tate Modern for "Black Icons," drawing 200,000 visitors. Plans for a Hamilton Art Foundation aim to democratize access, with pop-up exhibits in underserved communities. "Art saved me during tough races—now I want to share that power," he shared. Critics like Jerry Saltz praise his eye: "Hamilton collects with the precision of a pit stop—fast, smart, impactful."

Bridging Worlds: Where Cars and Art Intersect in Hamilton's Vision

Hamilton's pivot isn't binary; cars and art entwine in his worldview. He calls the Ferrari F40—"the one exception"—a "piece of sculpture on wheels," its raw 1980s design evoking Enzo Ferrari's spirit. Posing beside an F40 at Maranello in January 2025, his first official Ferrari photo, Hamilton mused, "It's art you can feel the wind in." No purchase yet, but whispers suggest a loaner for his LA studio.

This fusion manifests in projects. His 2023 documentary "Lewis Hamilton: Art of Racing" explored automotive design as fine art, featuring interviews with Pininfarina stylists. Now, he's commissioning murals from street artists like Banksy—rumored for Ferrari's Singapore GP hospitality suite—merging rebellion with racing. The +44 x Murakami drops evolve into sculptural editions, with car-inspired motifs like tire-tread patterns in chrome.

Environmentally, it's symbiotic. Art collecting's carbon footprint—transport, climate control—is offset via digital twins and blockchain provenance, reducing travel. Hamilton's vision: hybrid experiences, like VR gallery tours synced to F1 laps, making culture accessible.

A New Chapter: Legacy Beyond the Podium

As September 22, 2025, dawns in Monaco, Hamilton rises not to rev an engine but to sketch curatorial notes. Ferrari's 2025 season tests his mettle—sixth in standings, chasing Leclerc—but off-track, he's unchained. The £24 million windfall seeds a foundation rivaling Jay-Z's in scope, prioritizing BIPOC voices. Friends like Serena Williams, an art patron herself, applaud: "Lewis is building empires that last."

Critics probe authenticity—does a billionaire's collection truly uplift? Hamilton counters with action: 20% of art profits to scholarships, exhibitions in Stevenage schools. His story inspires: from council estate kid to global icon, now reshaping narratives through brush and frame.

In Baku's media pen, asked about regrets, Hamilton grinned: "None. Cars got me here; art will take me further." As F1 roars on, Hamilton's canvas expands—vibrant, unapologetic, eternal.