In the world of Formula 1 racing, Lewis Hamilton is nothing short of legendary, and now, as he embarks on a new chapter with Ferrari, he’s revving up more than just engines. Seven-time F1 champion Hamilton has announced a multi-year partnership with Fanatics Collectibles, allowing fans to take home a small piece of his racing legacy. This deal comes as the F1 icon dons Ferrari red after a celebrated tenure with Mercedes—twelve glorious years, in fact.
Through this partnership, Hamilton will release officially licensed memorabilia and trading cards under an exclusive autograph agreement with Topps, which Fanatics swept into its portfolio just last year. The collaboration promises to ramp up Hamilton’s presence on trading cards, featuring authenticated signatures and even race-worn gear in Topps-developed products. While Hamilton’s face isn’t foreign to Topps’ existing F1 lineup, this new agreement gives him creative control over card designs, plus a slice of the revenues channeled toward charities close to his heart.
The streets of London bustled with fan excitement last Friday as Hamilton cut the ceremonial ribbon at the Fanatics Collectibles flagship store on Regent Street. The grand reveal? His inaugural one-of-one Topps Chrome F1 card, striking in a gleaming Ferrari suit and personalized with the motivational “Forza Ferrari.” This card, along with a limited batch of red-parallel editions, has already become the Holy Grail for collectors globe over.
Trading enthusiasts may remember when Topps first secured F1’s trading card and sticker rights back in 2020. Leveraging the buzz from Netflix’s captivating ‘Drive to Survive’ coupled with a pandemic-induced trading card frenzy, Topps watched as eight of their F1 cards quickly ascended past the $100,000 mark at auctions. Hamilton himself set records, notably when his unique 2020 Chrome Superfractor soared beyond one million dollars in December 2024. His non-autographed Superfractor commanded $900,000 in May 2022, with his 2020 Chrome Sapphire Padparadscha 1/1 fetching a cool $740,000 in autumn of the same year.
As Hamilton prepped for the Miami Grand Prix, he took a reflective moment with The Athletic, revisiting childhood memories. “I spent countless afternoons poring over Premier League stickers as a kid,” he reminisced. “Trading those packs with schoolmates was pure joy. Little did I know, my memorabilia would one day fuel endeavors I hold dear.”
Meeting fans at the London venue struck a particularly heartfelt note for Hamilton. One encounter, in particular, was with a fellow F1 and Arsenal aficionado who owned one of his prized one-of-one cards. Sharing stories, Hamilton recognized that these connections formed something “bigger than ourselves.”
When asked which personal mementos he treasures most, Hamilton recalls his first yellow go-kart helmet, his maiden Monaco triumph trophy, and his inaugural racing suit, all lovingly preserved. More than just artifacts, they are sacred milestones—each marking a profound “first.”
Off the racing circuit, Hamilton is a curious collector of art and vintage automobiles. However, his quietest moments find him contemplating art canvases. “There’s nothing like unwinding with a glass of wine and a piece by a young Black or African artist,” he mused. On the more quirky side of his autograph encounters, Hamilton chuckled about signing tiny Japanese boxer shorts upon a collector’s peculiar request. “Definitely one for the storybooks,” he grinned.
As a seasoned collector and connoisseur, Hamilton has his eyes trained on the potential future stars of trading cards: “Kimi Antonelli, Oliver Bearman—and keep an eye on Isack Hadjar. Mark my words, he’s the real deal.”
Hamilton’s latest venture with Fanatics Collectibles offers more than iconic memorabilia—it champions creativity, nostalgia, and philanthropically powered passion. As he navigates the twists and turns of a new racing season and creative endeavor, fans can ride alongside, driven by the spirit of the chase—one collectible card at a time.
