Formula 1 legend Lewis Hamilton, the most sought-after athlete in motorsport

Mercedes Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton has been named motorsport’s most sought-after athlete by SportsPro magazine for the 12th time in 2024.

The seven-time world champion was ranked 11th on the annual list of the world’s 50 best-selling athletes (50mm).

Hamilton has appeared in all but one of 50MM’s 15 editions since it began in 2010.

He wasn’t on the list in 2019, but his best year came in 2014, when he became the number one best-selling athlete of the season when he won his first driver’s title with Mercedes.

The last time Hamilton was outside the top 10 was back in 2021, when he narrowly lost the title to Max Verstappen in Abu Dhabi.

Ahead of the 2024 season, the British driver announced that he would be joining Ferrari in 2025, shocking the Formula 1 community.

This year it has also secured two major deals with French luxury fashion brand Dior and online trading services provider CFI (Corporate Finance Institute).

Verstappen, Leclerc and Norris included in the list of 50 millionaires

Further down the list, reigning Formula 1 world champion Verstappen is ranked 31st overall thanks to his links with brands such as Heineken, Viaplay and EA Sports.

Hamilton’s new teammate next season, Charles Leclerc, is two places behind the Dutchman following recent partnership agreements with the likes of Puma, Peroni and Bang & Olufsen.

McLaren F1 title contender Lando Norris is next in 37th place, while Oscar Piastri completes the top 50 in 47th place.

In 2022, a record number of motorsport athletes made the top 50, and this year the record was matched by five Formula 1 drivers included in the list.

Formula 1’s popularity continues to grow, especially in the United States after another exciting race in Austin, Texas, where Leclerc led Ferrari home with a one-two.

Verstappen and Norris left fans on edge with their thrilling but controversial battle in the final laps of the 2024 United States Grand Prix.

The next round of the 2024 Formula 1 season will be the Mexico City Grand Prix, where motorsport’s most sought-after athlete will attempt to bounce back from his retirement at the United States Grand Prix.

Hamilton crashed out of the recent US Grand Prix on the second lap due to a surprisingly unforced driver error.

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