Long live the King of Latin Pop.

When you’ve won numerous Grammy and Billboard awards, topped music charts, and become one of the most famous faces in music, it’s understandable to want to retire at the ripe age of 48. So, we can’t exactly blame Latin pop king Enrique Iglesias for announcing that his just-released studio album will be his last. With that said, we’re not going to lie; we join in the dismay of his millions of fans worldwide who shamelessly love the Latin sensation and his feel-good vibes (come on, admit it).

“No, I’m never gonna retire! I’m gonna keep on writing songs but that doesn’t mean I need to be putting out albums every so often,”

Enrique Iglesias said, in an interview with People magazine

But, we’re not ones to dwell on the negative. So, let’s focus on this hot new milestone-marking album. Not only is it his most anticipated, it represents an innovative fusion of genres. And we’re always fans of mixing it up.

Final (Vol. 2), Enrique Iglesias’ twelfth studio album brilliantly fuses elements of pop, cumbia, bachata, ska, dembow and country, in 10 tracks that include collaborations with famed artists like Miranda Lambert (as seen in Hero image), Maria Becerra, Yotuel, Belinda, and El Alfa.

Currently, three of the singles from Final (Vol.2) are dominating the charts in the United States, with millions of streams and views on digital platforms. “Así Es La Vida” remains #1 on Billboard’s Tropical music chart for the eighth consecutive week, and reached the top of the charts as well in Argentina and Mexico and continues to be one of the most streamed songs in Spain since its release. Meanwhile “Fría” is at #5 on the Latin Pop Chart, and “Space In My Heart” is in the Top 25 Hot AC, according to Mediabase.

The new album after the critically acclaimed success of Final (Vol.1), which was released in 2021 received an overwhelming response from Enrique Iglesias fans around the world.

No stranger to collabs with some of the biggest names in the music business, Iglesias has joined forces with powerhouses like the late Whitney Houston, Lionel Richie, Juan Luis Guerra, and Romeo Santos, to name a few.

Whether he’s making even the most jaded hearts want to fall in love again with the emotion-filled ballad “Hero,” or inspiring dance parties that last until the sun comes up with high-energy hits like “Bailamos,” Iglesias has an impressive record of Billboard chart success, with eight #1 hits and 28 top 10 hits on the Tropical Airplay chart; 25 #1 hits and 46 top 10 hits on the Latin Pop Airplay chart; and 32 #1 hits and 41 top 10 hits on the Latin Airplay chart.

He’s sold over 180-million-albums worldwide, released 11-studio-albums, headlined 10-world-tours, and performed in front of more than 10-million-fans.

This remarkable career has established him as the “King of Latin Pop,” and – through this album may be his last – he’ll likely hold that title for years to come, reigning over those inspired to follow his footsteps. In the meantime, we’re holding out for the possibility of a final farewell tour.

Editor's note: All images courtesy of Sony Music Canada. Sony Music Canada is an advertising partner, but did not pre-approve or edit this article before publishing.  Originally published on April 5, 2024.

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The iconic Canadian menswear brand Harry Rosen is in store for a $50 million evolution, but it’s staying true to its core roots – both geographically and on the customer experience front. Last week, Harry Rosen announced the pricey project, which will include a fancy new Yorkville flagship location by spring 2026 (and the subsequent closure of the existing one at 82 Bloor Street West), expansive upgrades in its West Edmonton Mall store in Alberta, and a new Vancouver location at the city’s new Oakridge Park development. 

Founded in 1954 by the trailblazer whose name the chain still bears, the eponymous brand has grown from a single 500-square-foot store in Toronto to become a powerhouse luxury retailer with 19 stores across Canada. It’s safe to say that Harry Rosen becomes a lifelong staple to countless Canadian gents once they slip into their first perfectly tailored suit.

“We took a business that was largely in-store and made it omni-channel,”

Ian RoseN, President and COO, Harry Rosen

Digital transformation

The brand’s focus in recent years has been a story of digital transformation. “We took a business that was largely in-store and made it omni-channel,” says Ian Rosen, Harry Rosen’s president and COO – and member of the third generation at the helm of the family-run business. 

“We went from basically 3% of our sales coming from online, to 20% being online. So much more of the traffic that comes in store starts online. It’s anybody’s guess, but Google estimates that close to 80% of transactions begin through an email or visiting a website to see if something is in stock. So, that’s been the focus,” he continues.

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Rosen says that one of the important projects Harry Rosen has worked on for the last number of years is building the brand’s clothing advisors personal stylists an in-store associate selling tool (proprietary app Herringbone) that allows them to curate and build a personal webpage with sizes selected for the clients they know. The advisor can then send the link to their client, simplifying the online shopping experience.

“For me, that’s the Harry Rosen way of bringing our existing business into the digital world, because our team stops thinking about the store stopping at the door line, right?,” says Rosen. “They start thinking, ‘I have a tool available to me that, when my clients see something great, I can help him select from any product that Harry Rosen carries and I can help him make sure it fits him and I can aid in him shopping online.’ That was step one; building that culture, and it’s still something that we’re focused on.” He says 10% of Harry Rosen’s online business is driven through the Herringbone software.

Rosen says the next frontier is taking the digital experience to things like live streaming and beyond. “I’d say we’re in the evaluation phase, a consideration phase, but one thing about us is we’re not going to just jump onto a trend,” says Rosen. “I think we always try and think, ‘How does this become Harry Rosen-ized?’

On that front, Rosen says that the online initiatives will never replace the classic Harry Rosen in-store experience. “We took this low and steady approach [to digital], and it’s complementary to what we do on store in store,” he says. “We’re not looking to build our suiting business online. We understand that that’s a higher touch, slower business. We never want online to be a barrier to coming in store, or in store being a barrier to shopping online.”

Back to the future: A refocus on the Harry Rosen in-store experience 

“Today, we’re kind of shouting to the world that we really believe in this omni-channel vision and we need our store experience to evolve,” says Rosen. He says that in 2014, the time of the brand’s last capital campaign (which was a great success), the retail industry was in an era of “stack them high and watch it fly.” Meaning, shelves and racks were full of inventory. But, times have changed. “Then, you wanted to have a lot on the floor and our stores are architected around that experience, but today’s customers are just much different,” explains Rosen. “The new Yorkville flagship will have a much larger backstock, which will allow for us to have a much cleaner floor plate in the store. We’ll be able to really merchandise suggestively, but we’ll also be able to have all the stock.”

Clients can also expect a whole new in-store suiting experience in the new Toronto flagship, West Edmonton Mall, and Oakridge Park. “We’ve never backed away from being in the suiting business, and for Harry Rosen, the category is also almost synonymous with our name,” says Rosen. “But we don’t necessarily need to think about having suiting everywhere in the store. We’re actually focused on building one incredible made-to-measure suiting experience and area in the store with more of a lounge feel – somewhere to grab a glass Prosecco or have an espresso and work through some fabrics. There will be private fitting areas and salons. You can have a wedding party in there. That’s not how we’re architected right now.”

Rosen says the focus is to service Harry Rosen’s customer needs and demands and on flexibility with the brand’s in-store evolution. “We don’t want the store to look and feel the same every time a customer comes in,” says Rosen. “We need to be really focused on surprising and delighting a customer when they come in and want to do it with a lot of intention. We’re not only focused on this as a shopping trip, but a place where they can spent time and see some new ideas.”

With that said, don’t expect technology to make its way into the stores on a self-service front. Refreshingly, that won’t happen. “We’re thinking about the integration of our online experience from a service perspective; we’re not really thinking about self-serve technology being part of the experience we’re serving up,” says Rosen. “We’ll probably build more digital screens and ways of highlighting the offering, perhaps, but it’s not really a feature of the build.” He says where technology will play a role will be with regards to things like order notifications, pick-up logistics, and ordering specific items from another store. “This integration of that offline to online experience is going to be very important to us,” says Rosen. 

From one iconic Yorkville spot to another: Toronto’s new Harry Rosen flagship

The relocation of the iconic Bloor Street flagship to 153 Cumberland Street (which is currently occupied by a Mascot store, luxury boutique Nicolas, an Aveda retail space, and a Lululemon) wasn’t a decision that was made overnight. “It’s been a project that we’ve been working on for what feels like five or six years, exploring all the different ways that we could reinvent such a core part of our business,” says Rosen. 

The shiny new three-storey flagship will occupy about 38,000 square feet of space and become a crown jewel to Cumberland’s retail offerings. “The design language and the aesthetic is going to be updated and modernized,” says Rosen. “You can even see in the rendering that we’re just going for a much fresher appearance and that’s going to be very obvious. The way we showcase merchandise is going to be about stories and ways of dressing. It can be from one designer, or it can be multiple paired together. But, because we have such a commitment to having backstock, we don’t need to crowd the floor with merchandise. It’ll feel a lot more open.”

The idea is to show a customer how the modern man might dress today. “You have some people who are a lot more conservative and classic, while others are looking for more aggressive designer looks,” says Rosen. “You also have people looking for more casual laid-back soft jackets. We have so many stories to tell them.”

Rosen says the second floor will be the “powerhouse” of the store. “It’s going to have a mix of that storytelling but it also will have the latest and greatest from a number of luxury brand partners that we are known for today, especially in our Bloor Street store,” he says. “We have some really strong partnerships and we’re excited to reimagine how those brands come to life in our space.”

One of the best features of the new Yorkville flagship is a massive rooftop patio space that will overlook the Village of Yorkville Park (the one with the iconic “rock”) – a park that is set to expand. “My favourite part of this new location is the patio space that we will be able to leverage in the summer months,” says Rosen. “A little known thing, actually; as we vacate our current space, the plan is for 1240 Bay Street to be knocked down and the [Village of Yorkville] park will expand all the way to Bay Street. So, the new Harry Rosen flagship will actually have frontage on Bay Street.” 

The next generation of Harry Rosen gents

An undeniable success story surrounding the Harry Rosen brand is its loyal, lifelong client base. And, in order to attract the next generation of style-conscious men (whatever that personal style may be), they’re constantly evolving. “We’ve always had a culture of reinvention, and Harry started that,” said Rosen of his grandfather. “We’ve never stopped reinventing ourselves, and that’s allowed us to avoid that classic Christensen innovator’s dilemma where the person ahead for some reason never sees what’s coming. My father, Larry, who is the CEO and chairman of our company, emailed me 65 times already today about this.”

Rosen recalls a story his father would share with him about when his father (Ian’s grandfather), Harry, welcomed him into the business. “Larry had shared with him that none of his friends were shopping at Harry Rosen; it felt too old,” says Rosen. “He didn’t have the right sportswear. But, instead of saying, ‘You don’t know what you’re talking about,’ he said, ‘So, why don’t you join and help us figure out what sportswear is going to mean in the Harry Rosen market?’ Larry was pretty formative in bringing this to market and getting more progressive with what sportwear was like – jeans and casual shirts, and even expanding into shoes. Moving into shoes was a big radical thing when we did it, but now, it’s very important.”

“We’re choosing to invest in Canada and building Canadian men an exceptional experience that will allow us to our impactful role in the market for years and years to come.”

Ian Rosen, President & COO, Harry Rosen

Of course, each Harry Rosen store now has a dominant shoe area.

Rethinking and evolving the Harry Rosen experience also means adapting to an in-the-know culture of fashion-forward men. “I heard somebody say recently that the hardest part of their job is that today’s customer knows more than their team,” says Rosen. “It was someone from a big sneaker brand, but I started to think about it in our context. We’ve had to educate our team way more on how people are getting dressed, what occasions they might get dressed for, different ways for showing them what good looks like. It involves talking to our brand partners and understanding, how might you do a head to toe look in this and then how can you pollinate across brands.”

So, while the customer is getting smarter, so is the Harry Rosen brand. “So, all that to say, we’ve always been reinventing,” says Rosen. “That’s why online was not something that we dipped our toe into. We said, ‘How can we actually orient our business around this?,’ and the market was shouting at us to rethink our stores. So, we said, ‘Okay, let’s do it; and let’s not pretend we’re going to do it. So, that’s why we put the number out there [$50 million] – just to show the magnitude of what we’re reinvesting in the Canadian market.”

Proudly Canadian, thank you 

Unlike countless Canadian brands that may see the American market as the ultimate goal, Harry Rosen has no plans or goals to expand beyond Canadian soil. The company’s focus remains on its geographical roots.

“We’re very proudly Canadian and very focused on Canada,” says Rosen. “We’re choosing to invest in Canada and building Canadian men an exceptional experience that will allow us our impactful role in the market for years and years to come. You don’t need to be looking internationally only for growth. There’s an opportunity in front of us here. And we believe that this is the best way for us to reinvent. Frankly, if you start focusing elsewhere, you take your eye off the ball here, and we know that Canada is competitive.”

Words and Interview by: Erin Davis, Steven Branco. Photos: Courtesy of Harry Rosen. Hero image/rendering, courtesy of dkstudio architects.

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Dune: Part Two, directed by Denis Villeneuve made a splash at the box office this past week, as sci-fi lovers flooded the theatres to see the anticipated film, which famously delayed its release date due to last year’s Hollywood strikes. Dune: Part Two opened on March 1 and has grossed over $396.8 million worldwide. The sequel has some big shoes to fill. As you may recall, the original 2021-made Dune won six(!) Oscars at the 2022 Academy Awards, including Best Cinematography, Editing, core, Visual Effects, Production Design, and Sound. It was also nominated for Best Picture.

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An A-list lineup of actors who bring their own unique traits to the big screen, but coexist in harmony…

For those in the dark, the big-budget films are based on the famed 1965 book of the same name. In short, the two-part (so far) film series follows Paul Atreides as he unites with the Fremen people of the desert planet Arrakis to wage war of revenge against House Harkonnen, who destroyed his family. The film takes place about 20,000 years from now.

Dune’s A-list-packed cast didn’t hurt its mass popularity. It stars big names like Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Javier Bardem, and Jason Momoa. Dune: Part Two sees Austin Butler, Christopher Walken, and Florence Pugh join the famed cast.

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But the real magic-maker could just be the film’s talented, homegrown director. As yet another example of Canadians making major moves in Hollywood, Quebec native Denis Villeneuve cowrote and directed both the buzzed-about Dune film and its new sequel. Villeneuve is no stranger to seeing his work on the silver screen; he’s behind celebrated films like Arrival (2016) and Blade Runner 2049 (2017). If this is the first time you’re hearing his name, it definitely won’t be the last.

Dune: Part two

On a panel at Brazil’s CCXP conference in December, Villeneuve said that Part One and Two were always meant to be back-to-back. “I used to say when I did Part One that it was the appetizer and that Part Two would be the main course,” he said. “It’s a movie that is much more action. It’s a much more emotional, complex, muscular movie, and with a love story.”

From its cinematography and special effects, to its costumes, it’s also an impressive visual feast for the eyes – one definitely worth seeing on the big screen. The film was shot entirely on IMAX. In a recent interview with British Esquire, Villeneuve cites film Lawrence of Arabia (1962) as the first on his list of films that influenced him in the creation of the recent movie.

Lawrence of Arabia

“The story of Lawrence of Arabia inspired directly Frank Herbert when he wrote the story of a man who falls in love with a culture and – at the end – will betray that culture and its exploration of the impact of colonialism; the ideation of colonialism,” says Villeneuve. “When I saw that movie as a film student, it was like a master class into filmmaking. A lot of filmmakers will say that Lawrence of Arabia is a landmark, infamous story. When you watch a 17mm print of that movie, as a filmmaker, you can’t be the same when you get out of the theatre. There’s something about the use of the power of the landscape and his ability to refocus on the intimate journey of that character and keeping in those grand-scale action sequences that use the power of the desert to express themselves.”

Villeneuve says Lawrence of Arabia had a “tremendous” impact on both him as a filmmaker and on Dune. Of course, it was made in a completely different era. “When David Lean [the film’s director] made his movie, he had no computer-generated images,” says Villeneuve. “These guys were the real deal. What they were able to achieve at the time was beyond – they have all my respect.”

In this film, Villeneuve’s focused on the relationship between the main protagonist, Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) and a young woman Chani (Zendaya) with whom he starts a relationship, something he calls the centre of the story. “It’s the old movie structure – what’s happening between them,” says Villeneuve. “Through their relationship, we learn everything about the tension of politics and everything will unfold through their eyes.”

In Lawrence of Arabia, Lawrence is a white Englishman from a different culture who finds himself in the desert and immersed in a group of newfound tribes. Meanwhile, in Dune, a young man finds shelter within a tribe deep in the dessert, something Villeneuve says will “solidify his identity as a human being.” He feels at home with them, says Villeneuve, and embraces their culture but in a context of oppression, where he’s forced to fight against the oppressor.

The storytelling

Like a handful of films as of late, Dune: Part Two has a relatively long run time, of about two hours and forty five minutes. “The length of the story is based on what the story needs,” says Villeneuve another interview with Collider. “I’ve made movies that are 75 minutes and this one is two hours and forty five minutes, I think. For me, it’s not about the run-time, it’s about the storytelling. I wanted to create a momentum and energy with the movie that excited me. And I thought that was the perfect run-time.”

No matter the physical length of a film, Villeneuve says it’s about the experience and how it makes you feel. “You could be bored in a five-minute movie,” says Villeneuve. “There are some movies – we know some of them – that are three or four hours and you could live there forever. You have to just find the perfect run-time, so that’s what I tried to do.” Yet, die-hard fans have not been thrilled to learn of many deleted scenes. The film won’t release an extended version, so don’t expect to see any deleted scenes from either film make their way into Blu-ray or boxed sets.

“I’m a strong believer of once it’s not in the movie, it’s dead,” says Villeneuve. “And I kill darlings, and it’s painful for me. Sometimes, I remove shots and I say, ‘I can’t believe I’m cutting this out.’ I feel like I’m [taking] a samurai and opening my cuts.” Villeneuve says he can’t go back and try to reanimate things he’s killed. “It’s too painful,’ he says. “Once it’s dead, it’s dead – and it’s dead for a reason. I’m severe in the editing room; I’m not thinking about my ego, I’m thinking about the movie.”

Is Dune: Messiah next?

Our culture of “what’s next” can’t help but wonder what’s next for the Dune franchise. In his six-book series, Herbert’s Dune: Messiah, the second, is next. So, the burning question among journalists was, naturally, is Dune: Messiah next?“ I go one movie at a time, and I just finished Part Two; to do a third one, I have to make sure I have something interesting and a fresh screenplay that will bring something fresh and new,” Villeneuve told Jake’s Takes.

If someone else was to come in after Dune: Messiah, Villeneuve was asked what advice he’d give directors brave enough to follow in his footsteps and helm the project. “The next books are much more wild and maybe more difficult to adapt, but I’ll be there to help and can give the basic lines of the way I approached it to make it thematic,” says Villeneuve. “ I would be happy if someone else was willing to do that.”

In another interview with Collider, Villeneuve reveals a little (just a little more) about the future. He reiterated that the two existing Dune films to date were always meant to be part of the same package, being part of the same novel. “I want to make sure that, if we do Dune: Messiah, that we have the best screenplay on the table and, for that, I want to take the time to do it,” says Villeneuve. “I think it would be healthy not to necessarily go back into the desert right away, that I make a little detour, but – honestly – I don’t know what my future is now, which I love. I worked for the past six years non-stop; it’s a blessing, but we need to make sure that if we do Dune: Messiah, I want to do the best movie possible, so I want to take my time.”

So, while we can’t expect to see trailers for the next Dune installation in the near future, Villeneuve does reveal to Collider that a script is in the works. In the meantime, Dune: Part Two continues to fill theatre seats – and bring in dollars – globally.

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Famed British race car driving Lewis Hamilton is making headlines for reasons other than his on-track performance. Last week, Hamilton sent shockwaves through the Formula 1 (F1) sport when it was announced on Thursday that the legendary driver would say goodbye to his long-time Mercedes-Benz team and move over to Ferrari.

Of course, the move comes after Hamilton has spent his entire F1 career with Mercedes, having started with McLaren in 2007, then continued with the brand’s main F1 team, Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1, in 2013. Hamilton signed a new deal with the team last summer that was set to secure him until 2025. Hamilton, however, terminated the contact before seeing it through, thanks to an exist clause.

Team Statement

Scuderia Ferrari is pleased to announce that Lewis Hamilton will be joining the team in 2025, on a multi-year contract. pic.twitter.com/moEMqUgzXH

— Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) February 1, 2024

Hamilton will finish the season with Mercedes and move to Scuderia Ferrari for next season, on a multi-year contract. In case you somehow missed it, this news sent shockwaves through the sport — and the internet in recent days.

Over the weekend, Hamilton took to social media to clear the air and explain his decision to part with Mercedes in favour of Ferrari. “It’s been a crazy few days which have been filled with a range of emotions,” began Hamilton in the post, before confirming his plans to switch teams.

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A post shared by Lewis Hamilton (@lewishamilton)

Hamilton undoubtedly leaves a lasting legacy with the Mercedes-Benz brand, having won six career championships with the team. “I feel incredibly fortunate, after achieving things with Mercedes that I could only dream of as a kid, that now I have the chance to fulfill another childhood dream. Driving in Ferrari red.”

Naturally, it wasn’t an easy choice to make, especially in the face of global scrutiny. “Mercedes has been a huge part of my life since I was 13 years old, so this decision has been the hardest I’ve had to make,” Hamilton continues. “I’m incredibly proud of all that we’ve achieved together and I’m very grateful for the hard work and dedication of everyone I have worked with over the years and of course Toto, for his friendship, guidance, and leadership. Together we have won titles, broken records and became the most successful Driver-Team partner. And of course I cannot forget Niki who was a huge supporter and who I still miss every day.”

Hamilton goes on to recognize the Mercedes-Benz board and everyone at the company in Germany and around the world for their support over the years. Tellingly, he says he just knew it was the right decision to move on, saying that the “time is right” to make a change and take on a new challenge. “I remember the feeling of taking a leap of faith into the unknown when I first joined with Mercedes in 2013,” reflects Hamilton in the post. “I know some people didn’t understand it at the time, but I was right to make the move then and it’s the feeling I have again now. I’m excited to see what I can bring to this new opportunity and what we can do together.”

With that said, Hamilton stresses that he’s not focused on 2025, rather, the upcoming season. “I am more driven than ever and I want to help Mercedes win once again,” he writes. “I am 100% committed to the job I need to do and determined to end my partnership with the team on high.

What’s the lesson here? Sometimes, you just have to do you.

Hamilton ended his lengthy caption on a gracious note. “Thank you to all of you who have been on this journey with me, you have all lifted me up as I chase my dreams, and I hope I can continue to make you proud,” he wrote. “As always, sending you my love and positive energy.”

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Even those not familiar with Formula One (F1) racing know the name Lewis Hamilton. The seven-time world champion racer is the current record holder for the most wins, pole positions, and podium finishes in F1 history. He’s also the first Black F1 driver.

But Sir Lewis Hamilton, who was knighted in 2021, is more than just a global sporting icon and inevitable hero to countless up-and-coming racers: he’s a relentless social activist, fashion designer, musician, and force for combating racism and increasing diversity in motorsport. The world has taken notice; Hamilton was named 1 of TIME magazine’s ‘100 Most Influential People’ in 2020 for his importance both on-and-off the track.

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At this year’s Formula One Canadian Grand Prix this June, Hamilton joined Canadian race car drivers Demi Chalkias and Marc Lafleurat the Ritz-Carlton Montreal for the “Mavericks of Motorsport” panel discussion presented by Mercedes-AMG. It offered insight into what fuels Hamilton to think and act in an independent way, often breaking norms, and how this approach has driven him to achieve personal and career goals. The conversation was moderated by award-winning Canadian sports broadcaster, producer, and entrepreneur, Kayla Grey.

From humble starts to dominating the track

Hamilton, a 38-year-old United Kingdom (UK) native, was born and raised in Stevenage, Hertfordshire and began with modest means. Hamilton told Grey that his parents put their life savings into his racing career to fuel his childhood passion for the sport. It quickly began to show promise of paying off: Hamilton’s early talents were recognized when he was just 10-years-old and won his first British go-carting championship.

Hamilton joined the McLaren young driver programme in 1998 when he was barely a teenager. This lead to a F1 drive with McLaren from 2007-2012, where Hamilton became the first – and, so far, only – Black driver to race in the series, setting numerous records in the process. In the following season, Hamilton became the then-youngest ever F1 champion.

After his 6-successful-years with McLaren, Hamilton signed with Mercedes in 2013. In 2014, with the dawn of a new era in the sport owing to a major power unit shift, Hamilton secured a second Drivers’ Championship. The following year saw 10-wins and 17-total-podiums for Hamilton, which netted a 3rd world title. At this point, he had long become a household name.

Racing ahead and record-breaking

While he narrowly missed out on the world title in 2016, Hamilton secured it again in 2017 with 2-rounds to spare. This started a run of 4-consecutive Drivers’ Championships for Hamilton. Along the way, he shattered many of the most prestigious records in the sport, including famously surpassing Michael Schumacher’s tally of F1 race wins in 2020. At the Turkish Grand Prix that same year, Hamilton matched Schumacher’s record of world titles with his 7th championship.

An intense 2021 season saw Hamilton became the first driver to reach both 100-wins and 100-pole positions in the sport’s history. After a year-long battle, he narrowly lost out to 1 of his greatest competitors, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, in controversial circumstances but still helped his team Mercedes to its eighth consecutive Constructors’ title.

While the 2023 season isn’t panning out exactly as Hamilton had hoped – he was just dropped from the sprint shootout after a disappointing sprint qualifying session in the F1 Austrian Grand Prix – it’s likely just a blip for the celebrated racer, who we won’t see hang up his helmet and retire any time soon.

Changing the status quo

Hamilton has a loud and clear mission to improve diversity in motorsport. After reviewing the lack of diversity within the end-of-season photo in 2019, Hamilton set out to understand the specific barriers to the recruitment and progression of Black people within UK motorsport and to understand the hard facts. He formed The Hamilton Commission, alongside The Royal Academy of Engineering, facilitating an opportunity to simultaneously address the underrepresentation of Black people in UK motorsport, as well as the STEM sector.

Following a 10-month research period, which included initial data analysis, stakeholder mapping, a literature review in sport, education and employment, as well as primary quantitative and qualitative research with young people and in depth interviews with key stakeholders, The Hamilton Commission published its report, Accelerating Change: Improving Representation of Black People in UK Motorsport.
“There was such a lack of diverse talent coming through, particularly in STEM subjects and engineering,” Hamilton told Grey. “So, that’s why I put together this commission in the UK; to try and understand what the barriers were for kids that look like me, or like us, to get into STEM and engineering. And then I presented that to the industry, which is so cool. I was definitely nervous!”

The report outlines 10-recommendations to address current issues and challenges. “Our team was really responsive,” says Hamilton. “I think we had like 3% diversity within the team. Now, I think it’s over 15% – and only in a couple of years. So, it just [goes to] show what is possible.”

Hamilton also created Mission 44 in 2021. The non-profit focuses on improving diversity in motorsport, while also improving overall education and opportunities for Black youth in the UK.

“I didn’t understand why I was, having such success…and it was an amazing feeling,” Hamilton told Grey. “But, it’s very lonely at the top, for one. And, I couldn’t quite understand exactly why… why me? Why was I one of the only ones to slip through the cracks and-and make it to the top? And then I realized that they have this platform, to be able to raise, uplift and transform the lives of young youth. So, that’s why I put together that organization.”

A relentlessly passionate voice

Hamilton doesn’t shy away from using his highly visible platform as a means to inspire change.

In the 2020 season, he took a knee at the start of the races, making a statement against racism. At the 2020 F1 Tuscan Grand Prix, Hamilton wore a black shirt with the words “Arrest the cops who killed Breonna Taylor” on the front. Also an ally of the LGBTQ+ community, Hamilton showed his support by wearing a Pride flag helmet when he won the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in 2021.

When it comes to lending his voice to important causes, Hamilton won’t be silenced. After the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) introduced new rules restricting drivers from making “political, religious and personal statements,” unless pre-approved in writing in December, Hamilton vocally opposed the move, publicly stating that nothing will stop him from speaking out.

While breaking records is inevitably nice, Hamilton remains focused on changing the face of the spot.

“For me and my dad, we were the only people of colour on the racetrack and racing,” said Hamilton. “It’s great that now, we’re starting to see not only [the] audience being a lot more diverse, but [an understanding amongst] our team. When I was asking the questions like ‘Why am I the only person of colour in the room?’ There was never an answer for it. And I was not naturally happy with that answer. And everyone’s always saying, ‘We want the best in class.’ But I think that was almost insinuating that people of colour, or people from underserved communities, aren’t as talented.”

His legacy on and off the track

In terms of his legacy, Hamilton would rather be remembered for his change-making than for his performance behind the wheel. “Ultimately, I don’t really care to be remembered as the greatest, or even one of the greatest in my sport,” said Hamilton. “I feel more passionate about being able to look back at the sport in 10-to-20-years and see that it is more diverse, more accepting and more inclusive.”

While he’s already made major moves, his work is just getting started to reach this goal. “I’ve got a lifetime of work to do within the sport,” he told Grey. “I think more broader than that. It’s not just about uplifting young Black talent, it’s literally kids from all different backgrounds; helping them realize their dreams and [show them] that nothing’s impossible. It’s really put a rocket behind me.”

Hamilton told Grey that he’s partially fuelled by trying to stay in a positive mindset every day. “It’s about manifesting your dreams and goals,” said Hamilton. “I’m not perfect, but I always try and start my day off by saying positive things to myself; ‘This is what I’m going to do, this is where I’m going.’ And just never take your eye off the goal and just stay focused, you know.”

He admits, however, that this isn’t as easy to do as it sounds. “You know how hard it is (directed at Grey); many have had their ups and downs,” said Hamilton. “It’s not easy to just keep going and keep pushing, but I’m really grateful I get to work with an amazing team. And I do know that when I arrive, it’s how you turn up for everyone, because we’re all in it together. That’s why I always say, we win and we lose as a team.”

“…we win and we lose as a TEAM.”

Lewis Hamilton (@lewishamilton)

Authenticity and leaving the world a better place

The state of the environment is another cause close to Hamilton’s heart and he often takes to social media to share the devastating consequences of human behaviour on the environment. He doesn’t allow plastics in his homes and even kissed his private jet goodbye a few years back.

The plant-based activist acknowledges that his sport isn’t without its negative impacts on the environment, but highlights how it has been using hybrid technology since 2009, paving the way for today’s electric vehicles. Last year, Hamilton’s Mercedes team made headlines for dramatically reducing its carbon footprint during a triple-header, saving 44,000-kilos of CO² from being released into the atmosphere by using vegetable oil to power their caravan.

“We’re travelling, we land, and there’s a lot of waste when we leave,” said Hamilton. “And it’s asking the difficult questions like we want to leave a positive legacy and leave the place better than it was – I think we should always leave the place better than when we arrived. And that’s having those difficult conversations with the people with the power to make those changes. So, I’m comfortable in challenging everyone.”

Hamilton is also comfortable with being exactly who he is by now. “I remember when I was younger, and I was heavily influenced by hip-hop and wore baggy clothes,” reflects Hamilton. “I remember when I came to McLaren and my boss looking me up and down, like, ‘What are you wearing?’ I remember having long hair and being asked to cut my hair. It was quite uncomfortable. And it took me a long time to just get confident and say ‘This is who I am, and you just have to accept me the way I am.’ Um, and that’s just been a real process.”

Hamilton was also seen at the recent Louis Vuitton SS24 runway in Paris (just after the races in Montreal)–likely to support Pharrell’ debut collection

Lewis Hamilton attends the Louis Vuitton Menswear Spring/Summer 2024, for Pharrell Williams’ debut collection show as part of Paris Fashion Week on June 20, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Victor Boyko/Getty Images for Louis Vuitton)

Lewis Hamilton seen front row at the Louis Vuitton Menswear Spring/Summer 2024, for Pharrell Williams’ debut collection show as part of Paris Fashion Week on June 20, 2023 in Paris, amoungst the likes of Jaden Smith, Maluma, Beyonce and Jay-Z, Lebron James and more. (Photo: Lewis Hamilton Instagram (@lewishamilton)

Louis Vuitton Menswear Spring/Summer 2024, for Pharrell Williams’ debut collection show as part of Paris Fashion Week on June 20, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo: Louis Vuitton)

Credits

Words by Erin Davis. Edited by Steven Branco and Samir Mourani. Photography courtesy of Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team / Mercedes-Benz Canada, and the respective photographer(s) credited accordingly. Art by Steven Branco. 

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