Lewis Hamilton is one of the few F1 drivers who is popular in other pop culture circles in the world. He has several friends in the music and fashion industry who he has hung out with before. This even includes the controversial rapper and producer, P Diddy.

Sean “P Diddy” Combs, also known as P Diddy or Diddy, is currently involved in an expanding scandal that has resulted in his arrest. Combs was arrested in New York on September 16, 2024, following allegations of engaging in sex trafficking and racketeering.

Since then, the American music giant has entered a not-guilty plea to the charges, which also involve forcing people into prostitution. A-list celebrities who have long been a part of Combs’ inner circle are also receiving attention as the case progresses.

Due to this, many turned to Lewis Hamilton and questioned whether he too had connections with the controversial rapper. The only connection between the two that went public was in 2018 when the seven-time world champion posted a picture of him and Diddy dressed in white and standing together at the MET Gala in New York.

Though this post from Hamilton was deleted, many still have screenshots of it and circulated it on X amid Diddy’s scandal. The Mercedes star labeled Diddy as his brother and wrote that he felt honored to stand by his side. The Brit added that he respected Diddy’s work in the music industry and praised the rapper.

“Brothers in white. I grew up watching and listening to my man puff. To stand here today as brothers is a honour and a privilege. I appreciate you bro for all you do, for being a goat and for always showing love. God Bless,” Hamilton wrote.

This was one of the publicly known connections between Lewis Hamilton and P Diddy. Even though both were wearing white in this picture, they were not present in one of Diddy’s ‘white parties’, contrary to what has been purported by some social media users.

When Lewis Hamilton shared one of his first meetings with P Diddy

While Lewis Hamilton is now one of the most popular F1 drivers in the world, he did not have all the fame when he started his career. Back in 2007, during the British GP, the then-rookie F1 driver talked about how P Diddy contacted him for the first time to invite him to a dinner party.

The young McLaren driver explained how when he arrived, Diddy and his guests were waiting for him and that the American rapper sat beside him rather than any other high-profile guests of his.

“I got a call to say that P Diddy had invited me to a special dinner. When I got there they were waiting for me and I sat down next to P Diddy. Out of all his guests, I was sitting next to him,” Hamilton said. (via The Guardian)

Hamilton finished second in the World Drivers’ Championship that season — just a single point behind Kimi Raikkonen — before winning his first drivers’ title the following year.