F1 Book Club: Exploring Hamilton's off-track influence in 'Sir Lewis'
Added 2025-03-08 00:05:01 +0000 UTCAs we hurtle towards the start of the 2025 F1 season, the spotlight is on Lewis Hamilton as he embarks on his new adventure with Ferrari.
Whatever happens, with seven world championship titles already in his pocket, Hamilton’s status as an F1 legend is secure. But unlike many of his peers, Lewis’s impact extends far beyond the confines of any motor racing circuit - as the new book discussed in the latest episode of F1 Book Club with Edd Straw illustrates.
In his tome Sir Lewis, author and professor of African American Literature and Culture at the University of Pittsburgh Michael E Sawyer explores how Hamilton challenged racial barriers en route to the top, and the role he’s played in making motorsports accessible to marginalised communities.
As well as looking at his racing career, Sawyer also tackles how Lewis has used his platform to advocate for social justice, environmental sustainability, and diversity, and how he’s become a worldwide tastemaker of art, fashion, and lifestyle, while also emerging as a voice of moral clarity.
We hope you enjoy Michael's conversation with Edd.
Sir Lewis is published by Legacy Lit and is available now.
Comments
I really, really enjoyed this episode. As an American who’s utterly disgusted and embarrassed about my government, it’s even more depressing to hear an F1 journalist be more critical of the current racial politics than most American journalists. Really excited to pick this book up!
Justin Lee
2025-03-09 17:32:21 +0000 UTCThe Book Club episodes are some of my favorites and this was another interesting one, especially since it is largely beyond the paddock.
Aaron
2025-03-08 15:33:50 +0000 UTCThank you, Edd. I really enjoyed this, and find Lewis’ reach of cultural cross over so fascinating / phenomenal. I’m definitely putting this in my ‘to read’ pile.
Lane
2025-03-08 04:34:58 +0000 UTCI was very glad to hear this podcast. Being an American, its tough right now with the current situation here, I had hopes for the future but we took another step back. Being an immigrant in America which I am, is even tougher as well. I gained a lot of respect for Lewis when he took a stand with the what was going on here. I plan to pick up this book when i get paid.
Yosef Cardoso
2025-03-08 00:46:52 +0000 UTC
