Lewis Hamilton Meets Keir Starmer as Ferrari S…read more
Following a difficult weekend at the Spanish Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton took time away from Formula 1 to meet with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, focusing on his ongoing charitable efforts rather than his current struggles on the racetrack. The seven-time world champion has long been an advocate for educational equity and inclusivity, and this latest meeting reinforces his commitment to causes beyond motorsport.
Hamilton, now racing for Ferrari, has had a tough start to his new chapter in F1. Despite the fanfare surrounding his high-profile move to the Scuderia, he has yet to reach the podium after nine race weekends, sitting sixth in the drivers’ standings and trailing teammate Charles Leclerc by 23 points. The Spanish Grand Prix marked another low point, with Hamilton describing the day as “terrible” in a downbeat interview with Sky Sports F1, even suggesting that the team’s issues might be “just me.”
Yet, while Ferrari’s woes deepen, Hamilton’s off-track mission continues to gain momentum. Central to his efforts is Mission 44, a charity he founded in 2021 to address systemic barriers in education and help every young person succeed—particularly in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields. Hamilton, who has spoken openly about his own struggles during his school years, emphasized the importance of inclusion during his meeting with Starmer.
“I struggled in school and never felt like my voice was heard,” Hamilton shared in a post on Instagram, accompanied by photos from the meeting. “That’s why I know first-hand that ensuring every student feels they belong in school is vital.”
The meeting reportedly focused on practical steps to make schools more inclusive environments, ensuring students of all backgrounds feel supported and safe. It appears to have had immediate impact: the UK government announced that it will collaborate with Mission 44 to help drive changes in the education system, further validating Hamilton’s influence as a force for social progress.
“I’m grateful that off the back of this meeting, the government has committed to working with Mission 44 to enact change focused on making the education system more inclusive,” Hamilton said. “I’m so proud of how far Mission 44 has come in such a short space of time and the opportunity we have to transform the lives of vulnerable students across the country.”
In addition to backing Mission 44, the UK government unveiled a new initiative to provide free school meals to an additional 500,000 students starting in September 2026—a move that comes just days after Hamilton’s discussions with the Prime Minister. The timing of this announcement has led many to speculate that Hamilton’s advocacy played a key role in pushing this policy forward.
Part of Hamilton’s contract with Ferrari includes support for his business and philanthropic efforts, underscoring how central this work is to his life. At 40 years old, Hamilton is clearly laying the groundwork for his post-racing career. While Ralf Schumacher has hinted that the British driver might consider retiring before his contract ends in 2026, Hamilton remains focused both on the challenges ahead in F1 and the positive change he can make outside of it.
As Ferrari continues to face internal challenges and mounting pressure, Hamilton’s meeting with Starmer represents a welcome reminder of the broader legacy he is building—one that stretches well beyond podiums and points.
