Lewis Hamilton has just celebrated victory at the Spanish Grand Prix, securing his first Formula 1 win as a Ferrari driver. Alongside the many images of that historic success, another video has been attracting attention online: the seven-time world champion behind the wheel of a heavily modified 1984 Buick Regal.
It should not come as a surprise. Lewis Hamilton has never hidden his passion for cars beyond Formula 1, and whenever he is away from the racetrack, he often takes the opportunity to explore different aspects of automotive culture. This time, he decided to share the experience directly with fans through his YouTube channel.
Behind the wheel of a Buick lowrider
“I’ve always wanted to learn more about the different car cultures around the world,” Lewis Hamilton wrote in a social media post featuring him alongside a remarkable Buick Regal.
The car in question is a lowrider, a type of vehicle equipped with custom hydraulic suspension systems that allow it to lower, lift and tilt itself at the touch of a button: “It’s been on my bucket list for a long time, it’s truly incredible,” explained Lewis Hamilton, who took advantage of a trip to Los Angeles before the Monaco Grand Prix to get behind the wheel of one of the most iconic symbols of American street-car culture.
“I’ve always seen them on TV or online, but it’s the first time I’ve actually been face-to-face with one.”
That led to a memorable day on the streets of Los Angeles, with Lewis Hamilton driving the Regal and experiencing its famous bouncing movements created by the specialised hydraulic modifications: “It was such a crazy experience. It’s an honour to spend time with the people who celebrate and keep this culture alive.”
A lifelong passion for cars
Of course, Lewis Hamilton is not only the most successful driver in Formula 1 history. He is also a genuine car enthusiast, something reflected by the extraordinary machines that have passed through his personal collection over the years. Among them are a Pagani Zonda 760 LH, a Ferrari LaFerrari and a McLaren P1, just to name a few.
Then there is the legendary 1966 Shelby Cobra 427, an iconic collector’s car reportedly worth more than four million dollars. Lewis Hamilton kept the prized vehicle in Los Angeles, a city where he has often said he would like to live permanently once his Formula 1 career comes to an end.
His passion extends beyond four wheels. Motorcycles also occupy a special place in his collection, particularly high-performance sports bikes. One recent example was the ultra-exclusive Ducati Panigale 100, which Lewis Hamilton rode into the Monaco Grand Prix paddock.
There is also room for classic motorcycles: “I have two classic bikes, a Triumph and a BMW. I love them.”
And not just cars…
Recently, however, the Ferrari driver revealed that he has sold all of his road cars: “I don’t have any anymore. I got rid of them. Now I dedicate more time to art,” Lewis Hamilton explained.
Even so, he admitted that one car would still tempt him if he were to make another purchase: “If I had to buy a car, I’d choose the Ferrari F40. It’s a true work of art.”
His love for automobiles clearly remains intact, but these days it shares space with other interests as well. In a recent interview with Vogue France, Lewis Hamilton spoke about another hobby that dates back to his childhood: collecting trading cards: “There are collectible cards like Pokémon, Star Wars and athlete cards. When I was a kid, I collected stickers, especially football sticker albums where you could find all the players. Then you would trade them at school.”
It seems the hobby has become something of an obsession: “I have a collection that keeps growing. I buy trading cards every week.”
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