Lewis Hamilton is expanding his ambitions beyond Formula 1 after Dawn Apollo Studios signed a multi-year first-look agreement with Skydance Sports. The Ferrari driver’s entertainment company will develop and produce scripted, unscripted and animated projects under a deal that could also extend into areas including video games, consumer products and other parts of Paramount.
The agreement is with Skydance Sports, the sports entertainment division within Paramount Skydance, and represents another significant step in Lewis Hamilton’s growing activities away from the Formula 1 paddock. The seven-time world champion will serve as executive producer across all projects developed through the partnership while continuing his racing career with Ferrari.
Lewis Hamilton expands Dawn Apollo Studios with Skydance Sports deal
As revealed by The Hollywood Reporter, Dawn Apollo Studios has signed a multi-year first-look agreement with Skydance Sports. Under the partnership, Lewis Hamilton’s company will develop and produce content spanning scripted projects, non-fiction and animation.
The agreement is not restricted exclusively to Skydance Sports. Dawn Apollo’s projects could potentially extend into other areas of Paramount, including video games, consumer products and additional sectors, significantly broadening the range of opportunities available to Lewis Hamilton’s entertainment company.
Lewis Hamilton founded Dawn Apollo in 2022, with the company’s first project being last year’s F1 film starring Brad Pitt and distributed by Apple. The Ferrari driver worked as a producer on the movie and also made an appearance as himself.
The seven-time Formula 1 world champion has continued strengthening the company as its project lineup expands. Lewis Hamilton is represented by Josh Pyatt of Win Artists and recently appointed Naomi Wright, formerly of Fulwell Entertainment, as senior vice-president of development.
The appointment is intended to support the continued growth of Dawn Apollo’s slate as Lewis Hamilton develops his entertainment interests alongside his Formula 1 commitments. Ferrari fans can follow the latest developments surrounding the seven-time world champion through ScuderiaFans’ dedicated Lewis Hamilton coverage.
Lewis Hamilton explains his vision for Dawn Apollo Studios
Lewis Hamilton explained that his ambitions for Dawn Apollo Studios are closely connected to his belief in the ability of storytelling to change perspectives and encourage meaningful conversations.
“I’ve always believed stories can help people see the world differently and spark important conversations. That’s what excites me about Dawn Apollo Studios. It gives us the chance to back projects that feel honest, bold and meaningful, and to create space for voices and perspectives that haven’t always had that opportunity,” Lewis Hamilton said.
“Skydance Sports understands how powerful sport, culture and entertainment can be in engaging audiences, and I’m excited to work with Jesse and the team to bring these stories to life.”
Why Skydance Sports sees Lewis Hamilton as a natural partner
Skydance Sports is led by Jesse Sisgold and develops both scripted and non-fiction content connected to the sporting world. While sports documentaries and docuseries are no longer enjoying quite the same level of popularity they once did, projects in those formats continue to be released regularly.
At the same time, athletes are increasingly looking to establish themselves as media personalities and producers alongside their sporting careers. Last year, for example, Skydance Sports signed a first-look agreement with Buffalo Bills quarterback and NFL MVP Josh Allen, whose NFL Play Action series debuted on Paramount+ last week.
Jesse Sisgold, president of Paramount Sports Entertainment and chairman of Skydance Sports, believes the qualities Lewis Hamilton has demonstrated throughout his Formula 1 career make him a natural fit for the company’s entertainment projects.
“Lewis Hamilton has redefined what’s possible in F1, and that same relentless ambition, attention to detail and unique creative sense make him a natural premium entertainment partner for us across multiple forms of media,” Jesse Sisgold said.
“We’ve long admired his commitment to authentic storytelling and to opening doors for new voices, and we can’t wait to bring the stories he and the Dawn Apollo Studios team develop to audiences worldwide.”
Lewis Hamilton continues building beyond his Ferrari F1 career
The multi-year Skydance Sports agreement represents another expansion of Lewis Hamilton’s activities outside Formula 1 while he continues competing for Ferrari. Since establishing Dawn Apollo Studios in 2022, Lewis Hamilton has moved from launching his production company to helping produce a major Formula 1 film and now securing a wider partnership covering several forms of entertainment.
The scope of the agreement also shows that Dawn Apollo’s ambitions extend beyond Formula 1-related productions. Scripted content, non-fiction, animation and potentially other areas within Paramount could all form part of the company’s future work, with Lewis Hamilton serving as executive producer across the projects developed under the partnership.
Leave a Reply