Stevenage’s pride and joy, Sir Lewis Hamilton has seen more of the world than most, which is what a stellar Formula 1 career — he holds the joint record for Drivers’ Championship titles — will get you. The 41-year-old, whom we caught up with at the new Ferrari Style store in London, is showing no signs of slowing down. But what does Sir Lewis do when he wants to relax in the capital? Why, it’s a walk in the park, of course.
The Restaurant
“The first restaurant I remember going to in London was probably Shanghai Blues. That’s where I met my first girlfriend, and it became a spot for me and my friends. The last place I went to dinner in London was Milos.”
Milos.
The Memory
“One of my earliest memories of London is from when I was around 13. I was going through a difficult time and my mum took the day off work and brought me into the city. We went to London Bridge and did a tour together. That’s the first time I really remember travelling with my mum.”
The Building
“My favourite building in London is probably Buckingham Palace. It’s got to be the best building.”
The Concert
“The first concert I ever went to was Jay-Z and Kanye [at the O2]. I never went to concerts as a kid because we didn’t have the money. All the money we had went into racing, so it wasn’t until adult life that I started going.”
The Food
“I remember the Caribbean cooking at my auntie’s house. My aunties on my father’s side lived in London, so I used to come here from a very early age. Where I grew up, there wasn’t much culture, and my school wasn’t diverse. When I came to London, I felt at home. There was Caribbean food, proper island dishes made by my auntie Diane, and reggae music. It just felt peaceful.”
The Fashion Lesson
“I didn’t really get into fashion until I was around 25. Before that, I was shopping in thrift stores and trying to figure out who I wanted to be and how I wanted to represent myself. Most of the time it was a terrible result, because I was making mistakes, but that’s how you discover your style. I still like taking risks now. Pretty much every time I do a walk-in, I’m taking risks. I like being bold.”
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The Park
“In summer, I love to go to Hyde Park or Holland Park and just have a picnic, listen to music and sit there for the day. That’s something I see friends doing, and it’s something I really wish I could do in peace.”
The Thing To Avoid
“I hate traffic and London’s full of traffic. I don’t like driving on regular roads; I prefer being in the back of a car doing emails and work. I’m probably the easiest passenger you could imagine.”