It is no secret how much Lewis Hamilton reveres boxing legend, Muhammad Ali. While he was “The Greatest” in the ring, his commitment to fighting racial discrimination was commendable as well. The Formula 1 star holds the issue close to his heart as he had to endure discrimination on and off the race tracks while growing up.

Lewis Hamilton has time and again raised the issue of the lack of representation of people of color in Formula 1. Even in the 2021 Met Gala, he paid from his own pocket to have a table for a designer because was a person of color. The inspiration to strive for inclusivity comes from none other than Muhammad Ali.

Lewis Hamilton shared Ali’s inspirational words

Lewis Hamilton shared a snippet from Muhammad Ali’s interview in 2020 on his Instagram. The Greatest talked about how, as a child, he wondered why everything positive and godly was considered white, while everything evil and with negative connotations was black. Lewis shared his thoughts on the video with a heartfelt caption.

He wrote, “He’s been one of my biggest inspirations my whole life. A man that knew just what to say. As a black kid growing up in a predominantly white city and country (over 80% white in the UK), it’s hard to be the only one in your class or job. Like all of us, no matter what colour you are, it’s great to have people to look up to. Ali was one of those for me, as well as my dad.”

“He helped me to believe that someone that looked like me could do anything, and that my dreams were achievable, and that’s what I hope to do for the generations after me, and to remove limitations based on race.”

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Hamilton’s love for Ali wasn’t new. The Briton in his autobiography, originally published in 2007, revealed how he considered him his favorite sportsperson ever.

Lewis Hamilton strives to be like Muhammad Ali

In the book “Lewis Hamilton: My Story”, Lewis wrote about his breakout season with McLaren in 2007. He also talked about his personal life, among which was the subject of Muhammad Ali.

Hamilton admitted to watching Ali’s videos on the internet and still possessing the “When We Were Kings” DVD. He continued, “Seeing him in the ‘Rumble in the Jungle’…oof…that was sick!” 

“I would love to be like that. No one had the balls he had. That’s inspirational.”

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The Mercedes driver revealed he was never star-struck by anyone in his life, but we are sure he must have been when he met the man himself.