Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton is a well-known supporter of Arsenal, largely due to encouragement from his family.
Hamilton, who has secured seven world championships and more than 100 Grand Prix wins, is among Arsenal’s notable fans.
He was just 19 when Arsenal last won the Premier League title in 2004. At that time, he had not yet begun his career in Formula 1, but as he nears retirement, he hopes to see his team break their title drought.
Currently, after 20 games, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal leads Manchester City by six points in the standings. Hamilton is also hopeful for Ferrari, who haven’t won a championship since 2008, to end their winless streak soon.
Lewis Hamilton shares how his sister influenced his support for Arsenal
Although Hamilton is a dedicated Arsenal supporter, he surprised many by joining a consortium that made a bid for Chelsea in 2022. This group was led by Sir Martin Broughton and included tennis star Serena Williams.
During a press conference before the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Hamilton expressed his respect for Chelsea, noting their achievements in English and European football. He also mentioned a family connection to Chelsea through his uncle.
However, Hamilton confirmed his loyalty to Arsenal, noting that his sister, Samantha Lockhart, heavily influenced his choice over Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.
“I’ve loved football since I was a kid,” Hamilton shared. “I played from about four until I was 17, involved in various teams each year, and I attended numerous matches.”
“When I was younger, I used to play football with local kids, and I wanted to fit in. Everyone had different teams they supported. One supported Tottenham, another Manchester United. I remember switching between these teams, and my sister kept telling me, ‘You have to support Arsenal.’”
“At around five or six years old, I decided to support Arsenal. My Uncle Terry is a big Chelsea fan, and I’ve attended many matches with him to watch Arsenal and Chelsea play.”
“In the end, I just love sports. Football is the biggest sport globally and Chelsea is one of the most successful clubs, so when this opportunity came up, I thought it was a fantastic chance to be part of something great.”
Could Lewis Hamilton have chosen football over F1?
In 2015, Hamilton took part in a five-a-side game organized by Sky Sports with Arsenal legends like Thierry Henry and Sol Campbell.
When asked if he ever considered a career in football instead of motorsport, Hamilton mentioned the camaraderie in football, contrasting it with the solitary nature of F1.
“As a child, I enjoyed watching and playing football, just like many boys. The experience of being part of a team was fulfilling,” he noted. “I played various positions because I trained hard and could run up and down the field all day.”
Hamilton is not the only F1 driver with a Premier League connection. Former teammate George Russell supports Wolves, while McLaren’s Oscar Piastri has become an Arsenal fan through his girlfriend’s family.
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