Owing to his icon status worldwide, Lewis Hamilton’s bodyguard had some extra duties while handling fan-made gifts.
Lewis Hamilton is statistically the greatest F1 driver and has amassed seven world championships. He is a celebrity both on and off the track.
Though such fame is often viewed as a growing stature of a driver, it also comes with a set of risks that the driver has to be wary about, which is revealed in Mercedes‘ book as Hamilton’s bodyguard had to do some extensive checks while handling fan-made gifts.
The 39-year-old was a part of Mercedes for over a decade and won six drivers’ titles with them. On the other hand, his following among fans crossed all milestones as he is the most followed F1 driver on social media platforms.
Subsequently, such love from the fans is also witnessed at the various tracks. Lewis Hamilton often meets his fans during the Grand Prix weekend and the fans also gift him some heartwarming souvenirs.
While he takes such gifts happily, his bodyguard has to check for trackers and other stuff that could possibly expose the Briton to any type of threats. This was further elaborated upon by Matt Whyman, the author of the Mercedes book when he observed the bodyguard’s work firsthand at the 2023 Belgian GP.
Just now, the visiting bodyguard is focused on not dropping any of the gifts in his arms, from good luck charms to drawings, cards and teddy bears. They’ve been presented to the driver by fans as he made his way through the paddock. Handing in the haul for safekeeping, the guy confirms he’s checked everything for trackers and thrown away the liquids.
Matt Whyman wrote in Mercedes F1: Life In The Fast Lane
While Hamilton was a huge figure at Mercedes, his arrival at Ferrari is expected to make further waves. The Tifosi will give him a grand welcome at Maranello as he reps up to wear the elusive red outfit.
F1 CEO shares his chat with Lewis Hamilton over joining Ferrari
Hamilton joining Ferrari was the biggest bombshell of the 2024 season. With the move now just a few days away from becoming a reality, the 39-year-old would be making some final preparations.
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali revealed that the seven-time champion was learning Italian in the meantime. The 59-year-old further elucidated the conversation he had with Hamilton. And talked about how Ferrari’s environment would be entirely different to the prior ones the Brit had worked in.
He is learning to speak Italian and to understand how to integrate into our culture. I told him, it is fundamental for him to be able to do this as well. In Ferrari he will find a different environment than before.
Stefano Domenicali said (via Autoracer)
Regardless of this, fans and experts have called out the Scuderia for kicking out Carlos Sainz in favor of Hamilton. Thus, there are two camps, one is welcoming the arrival of the Briton to Maranello, while the other criticizes the Italian team for ousting the Spaniard.
