In a thrilling and strategic move benefitting both fans and charitable causes, seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton has entered into a multi-year partnership with Fanatics Collectibles. This exciting collaboration comes as Hamilton embarks on his first eagerly anticipated season with Ferrari, a transition that has already electrified F1 aficionados worldwide. After twelve glorious years with Mercedes, the sport’s most illustrious driver is set to offer officially licensed memorabilia and trading cards through an exclusive autograph agreement with Topps, which Fanatics acquired just last year.
Hamilton’s elite presence on trading cards has now been solidified with this new venture, guaranteeing fans exclusive authenticated signatures and unique items of race-worn gear courtesy of Topps-produced releases. Although Hamilton has previously been featured within Topps’ broader F1 collection, this bespoke arrangement allows him personal creative influence over card designs. Moreover, these collectibles will contribute to causes close to Hamilton’s heart, as a slice of the proceeds is earmarked for charity.
The atmosphere buzzed with excitement last Friday as Hamilton inaugurated the Fanatics Collectibles flagship store on London’s iconic Regent Street. Amid enthusiastic onlookers, Hamilton unveiled his first signature Topps Chrome F1 card in a fetching Ferrari suit. The card, hand-inscribed with the phrase “Forza Ferrari,” comes in a striking one-of-one edition, alongside just five red-parallel copies that have already become must-have items for collectors far and wide.
Topps has adeptly cornered the F1 trading card and sticker market since securing rights in 2020, riding the wave of popularity triggered by Netflix’s “Drive to Survive” series and the lockdown-era trading-card boom. Astonishingly, eight Topps F1 cards have breached the $100,000 mark at auctions, notably including a Hamilton exclusive: his 2020 Chrome Superfractor, which shattered records selling for over a million dollars in December 2024. Other high rollers in his collection include the non-autographed 2020 Superfractor at $900,000, and the 2020 Chrome Sapphire Padparadscha 1/1, which went for $740,000.
In a candid chat with The Athletic while on his way to the Miami Grand Prix, Hamilton delved into his passion for collecting, tracing it back to childhood days spent squirreling away every spare penny for Premier League stickers. Those formative days of trading stickers with friends laid the foundation for a passion that now sees a more significant purpose; Hamilton’s personal memorabilia now supports cherished causes.
The London store unveiling offered more than just a glimpse into Hamilton’s professional ventures; it connected him with fans on a deeply personal level. Recalling a moment with a fan who had purchased one of his exclusive one-of-one cards, Hamilton shared a laugh and an acknowledgment of the shared cultural experiences that bind them. “He grew up watching F1 and Arsenal, just like I did,” Hamilton recalled, underscoring how such connections weave a community that transcends mere sport.
When queried about the possessions closest to his heart, Hamilton listed his first yellow go-kart helmet—nostalgically spray-painted by his father—his debut trophy from the Monaco Grand Prix, and the very first race suit he donned in competition. It’s these ‘firsts,’ Hamilton insisted, that hold unparalleled sentimental value.
Outside the frenetic hustle of the track, Hamilton is known for his discerning eye for art and a penchant for collecting vintage cars. Yet, it’s during the quiet solitude of artistic contemplation that he finds tranquility. “I love unwinding with a glass of wine, admiring a piece by a burgeoning Black or African artist,” he shared, offering a window into a softer facet of his personality. Not one to adhere strictly to convention, Hamilton also revealed the strangest item he’s been asked to autograph: a pair of minuscule Japanese boxer shorts. “It was bizarre,” he chuckled, “but hey, it made someone’s day!”
As for the buzz around trading cards and those next destined for stardom, Hamilton’s recommendations come with authority and foresight. His picks for future hot properties include rising racers like Kimi Antonelli, Oliver Bearman, and Isack Hadjar—pilots not just worth watching, but investing in, as their careers ignite a new era in racing passion.
In the symphony of motorsport excitement and memorabilia, Hamilton’s move with Fanatics resonates deeply—not just among avid fans and collectors, but within a community engaged in causes greater than the sport itself. With both a nod to his roots and a look to the future, Hamilton continues to excel both as a champion on the track and a dedicated philanthropist off it.
