Ferrari over fashion – Hamilton is prioritising performance amid potential distractions

Lewis Hamilton said he was delivered a “curveball” of a question at the Miami Grand Prix when he was asked about David Beckham turning 50 this weekend.

The two are friends and previously shared the same agency and, having a few seconds to think of his answer, Hamilton spoke more about what Beckham has done since retiring from a football career that saw him win multiple trophies and captain his native England.

It could have been seen as telling that Hamilton was impressed by Beckham’s post-playing career achievements, given he is now in the twilight of his time in Formula 1.

Having won seven world championships, more races than anyone else and shone for many a season, Hamilton has hit the skids since moving to Ferrari for 2025.

Other than a surprise sprint race win in Shanghai, the 40-year-old has endured a tough start to life with the Scuderia to the extent that Ralf Schumacher has even suggested he should retire this summer.

But, as he addressed the media on Thursday afternoon in Miami, it was obvious that improving his Ferrari form is front and centre of his mind – even if he is set to co-chair the Met Gala, an annual fundraising event at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Asked what he would be wearing, Hamilton bullishly replied: “I don't even know. I've not really put much thought into it.

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, and David Beckham on the grid

Photo by: Steve Etherington / Motorsport Images

“It's amazing working with Anna (Wintour) and her team. It's been a privilege. To be able to continue to do stuff in fashion is fun.

“Anna's been really understanding – I haven't had a lot of time to do a huge amount with it, but the work has been in drips over the past two years already with Anna. So yeah, excited for people to see it.”

Hamilton might not have relocated to Italy, still living in Monaco, but he did speak about how much he enjoys travelling to Maranello – and not just to work on ironing out the problems plaguing his start at Ferrari.

“I love it. Trying to stay off the pizzas and the pasta, which I'm not doing very well with if I'm honest,” he said.

“I was there last week and had like three pizzas in two days. I have my hookup – he keeps bringing me a pizza. I text him late after the day and I'm like, "Hey, can I get a pizza?" He keeps bringing me one.

“But yeah, I really am enjoying it. Not living in Italy currently, but spending more time is still something I really want to try and figure out how to do through the year. My Italian is not really progressing, so I've probably got to throw myself more into the thick of it.

“But the team's been well. Lots of changes, a huge amount of work has been going on from my first days there to adjust certain things, for example in the sim, and everyone’s been really responsive and massively supportive. So I’ve really appreciated it.”