What does it mean to be a world champion? If it’s merely about winning races and driver titles, then Lewis Hamilton is already one of the greatest in the world. But what makes him a true champion is his will to be a force for good in society.

Despite all his success, he has never shied away from voicing his concerns about what’s wrong with the world. Now, as he prepares for a new chapter in his racing career with Ferrari, he also aims to get the team ahead on his goals of achieving equal opportunity and diversity in the sport.

Being the only black driver in Formula 1, Lewis Hamilton has experienced firsthand what it’s like to face discrimination based on your skin color.

However, as he gained success and fame in the sport, instead of putting his struggles behind him and forgetting about it, he has used his influence to push his team and the F1’s management to be more accountable when it comes to diversity and inclusivity in the sport.

Lewis Hamilton has made it his priority to advance diversity at Ferrari

As Hamilton nears the end of his contract with Mercedes and gears up for his switch to Ferrari in 2025, he is wasting no time in laying the groundwork for his social initiatives at Maranello. The 38-year-old has already started discussions with Ferrari’s chairman, John Elkann, emphasizing the need for progress in diversity and inclusion within the team.

According to a report from Reuters, Hamilton told his concerns directly to Elkann, who has shown enthusiasm for addressing these issues. “Ferrari, they have a lot of work to do so I’ve already made that a priority in speaking with [chairman] John [Elkann] and they are super-excited to get on and work on it also.” Hamilton also reached out to F1’s top management, including boss Stefano Domenicali, to highlight areas where the sport can create a more inclusive environment for people of all races and genders.

As part of his contract negotiations with Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton not only managed to secure a lucrative $100 million reported annual salary but also an ambassadorial role extending until 2035. What’s also worth noting is that John Elkann has supposedly proposed a whopping $400 million investment in Hamilton’s ventures, including his initiative, Mission 44, which also focuses on promoting gender and racial inclusivity.

While Hamilton will undoubtedly carry the Maranello squad forward in his mission off the track, he will also look to bring Ferrari back to their winning ways.

Hamilton could rewrite F1 history with FerrariFerrari has not won a championship since 2007 and Lewis Hamilton was robbed of his 8th championship in the 2021 season finale. So both parties have the common goal of ending their respective trophy droughts, possibly in their first year of partnership itself in 2025, and if not, then in 2026, when the new regulations are supposed to reset the pecking order.

Do you think Hamilton and Ferrari can win a championship together? Share your insights in the comments down below.