Lewis Hamilton's style evolution in 56 pictures, high street fan to couture track star

The British racing driver has chosen to express himself via his statement fashion over the years

Lewis Hamilton, in a black suit, arrives at the Bambi Awards on November 27, 2008, in Offenburg, Germany. Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton, in a black coat and suit, arrives at Buckingham Palace to be awarded an MBE by Queen Elizabeth II, on March 10, 2009, in London. WPA

Lewis Hamilton, in a black suit with a burgundy tie, attends the F1 Charity Party in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital at the Victoria and Albert Museum on June 17, 2009. Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton, in a blue suit over a black T-shirt, and brother Nicholas Hamilton arrive on the red carpet for The Brit Awards at the O2 Arena on February 15, 2011. Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton, in a black bomber jacket over jeans and a T-shirt, and Nicole Scherzinger attend the premiere of 'Jack Reacher' on December 10, 2012, in London. Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton, in a blue suit, attends the Laureus World Sports Awards at the Istana Budaya Theatre on March 26, 2014, in Kuala Lumpur. Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton, in a black textured suit, and Nicole Scherzinger attend the GQ Men of the Year awards at The Royal Opera House on September 2, 2014, in London. Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton, in a grey chequered suit, and Nicole Scherzinger arrive at the British Fashion Awards in London on December 1, 2014. AFP

Lewis Hamilton, in a purple velvet tuxedo, and his dog Roscoe attend the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards at The Hydro on December 14, 2014, in Glasgow, Scotland. Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton, in a red suit with a black shirt, attends the Elle Style Awards on February 24, 2015, in London. Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton, in a blue Topman tuxedo, attends the Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 4, 2015, in New York City. FilmMagic

Lewis Hamilton, in a black textured tuxedo, attends amfAR's 22nd Cinema Against Aids Gala at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc on May 21, 2015, in Cap d'Antibes, France. Getty Images

Nicolas Hamilton and Lewis Hamilton, in a yellow tropical print bomber jacket and jeans, attend the premiere of 'Minions' at Odeon Leicester Square on June 11, 2015, in London. Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton, in white jeans and a jacket, arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards at the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles, California, on August 30, 2015. AFP

Lewis Hamilton, in a black Dolce & Gabbana brocade tuxedo, attends the GQ Men of the Year awards at The Royal Opera House on September 8, 2015, in London. Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton, in a white tuxedo, attends the British Fashion Awards at the London Coliseum on November 23, 2015. Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton, in a grey suit with Max Verre shoes, attends the 24th Annual Elton John Aids Foundation's Oscar Viewing Party on February 28, 2016, in West Hollywood, California. AFP

Lewis Hamilton, in a black suit over a jumper and shirt with Cartier accessories, arrives at the Laureus Sport Awards in Berlin on April 18, 2016. EPA

Lewis Hamilton, in a metallic brocade jacket by Ports 1961, arrives at amfAR's 23rd Cinema Against Aids Gala at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc on May 19, 2016. Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton, in a red tartan suit and black turtleneck jumper by Versace, and Donatella Versace arrive at the British Fashion Awards in London on December 4, 2017. AFP

Lewis Hamilton, in a white Tommy Hilfiger suit, attends the Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 7, 2018, in New York City. Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton, in a burgundy suit, attends the CFDA Fashion Awards at Brooklyn Museum on June 4, 2018. AFP

Lewis Hamilton, in an a brown chequered tracksuit by Stella McCartney, attends the Stella McCartney show as part of Paris Fashion Week on March 04, 2019. Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton, in a metallic Tommy Hilfiger suit, arrives on the red carpet for the 2019 Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 6, 2019. EPA

Lewis Hamilton, in a monochrome look by Louis Vuitton, attends the Louis Vuitton menswear spring/summer 2020 show during Paris Fashion Week on June 20, 2019. Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton, in a white shirt and black accessories, attends the 'Le Mans '66' premiere on October 04, 2019, in Zurich, Switzerland. Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton, in a silver dinner jacket, arrives for The Fashion Awards at the Royal Albert Hall on December 2, 2019. EPA

Lewis Hamilton, in a silver Dior suit, attends the Laureus World Sports Awards at Verti Music Hall on February 17, 2020, in Berlin. Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton, in a pink denim co-ordinated set by Heron Preston x Levis 501, rides a scooter ahead of the F1 Grand Prix in Imola, Italy, on October 30, 2020. Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton, in black shorts and a jacket with pops of lime green, ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of France on June 17, 2021. Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton, in a lilac Fendi cargo-style set with Bottega Veneta boots, ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix on July 02, 2021, in Spielberg. Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton, in clashing prints with a Myfawnwy jumper and blue trousers, ahead of the British Grand Prix at Silverstone on July 15, 2021. Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton, in an oversized tartan Lanvin shirt, walks in the paddock ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix on August 26, 2021. Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton, in a bird-print set by Nahmias, walks in the paddock ahead of the F1 Italian Grand Prix at Autodromo di Monza on September 12, 2021, in Monza. Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton, in a black Kenneth Nicholson suit with lace detailing, attends the Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on September 13, 2021, in New York City. AFP

Lewis Hamilton, in a red Maison Margiela jumper and recycled Ahluwalia tracksuit bottoms, walks in the paddock ahead of the Russian Grand Prix at Sochi Autodrom on September 24, 2021. Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton, in black Balenciaga, poses on the catwalk during the Balenciaga spring/summer 2022 show during Paris Fashion Week on October 02, 2021, in Paris. Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton, in a blue jacket over a kilt by Burberry, walks in the paddock during previews ahead of the Turkish Grand Prix at Intercity Istanbul Park on October 07, 2021. Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton, in a blue AMI Alexandrew Mattiussi suit and polo neck, attends the WSJ Magazine Innovator Awards at the Museum of Modern Art on November 1, 2021, in New York City. AFP

Lewis Hamilton, in a black and white Death to Tennis tracksuit, in the paddock ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix at Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace on November 11, 2021, in Sao Paulo. Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton, in a grey sleeveless top and trousers by A-Cold-Wall, in the paddock ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix at Losail International Circuit on November 18, 2021. Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton, in a vest and trousers by 3.Paradis, in the paddock ahead of the Saudi Grand Prix at Jeddah Corniche Circuit on December 2, 2021. Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton, in a black Wales Bonner suit with a Dior shirt, poses with his medal after being appointed as a knight during a investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle on December 15, 2021. AFP

Zendaya and Lewis Hamilton, in head-to-toe black Valentino, attend the Valentino show as part of Paris Fashion Week on March 6, 2022. Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton, in an oversized Isabel Marant red tracksuit, in the paddock ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix at Bahrain International Circuit on March 17, 2022. Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton, in a white Alexander McQueen jacket with cream trousers, ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix at Bahrain International Circuit on March 18, 2022. Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton, in a blue and orange floral Jacquemus jacket and shorts set, arrives ahead of the third practice session ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit on March 19, 2022. AFP

Lewis Hamilton, in a black and red Ahluwalia parka and short set, arrives ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix at Bahrain International Circuit on March 20, 2022. AFP

Lewis Hamilton, in a multi-coloured oversized coat by Blue Marble Paris, arrives at the paddock ahead of the British Grand Prix at Silverstone on June 30, 2022. AP

Lewis Hamilton, in an all-purple look by Teddy Vonranson, arrives at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza on September 8, 2022. AFP

Lewis Hamilton, in a patterned Louis Vuitton two-piece, arrives at the US Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, on October 22, 2022. Reuters

Lewis Hamilton, in a khaki boiler suit by Craig Green, arrives at the Brazilian Grand Prix in Sao Paulo on November 10, 2022. Reuters

Lewis Hamilton, in a patterned tank top by Raf Simons, at the Brazilian Grand Prix in Sao Paulo. Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton, in an orange tie dye Fendi look, walks in the Paddock prior to practice ahead Brazil F1 on November 12, 2022. Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton, in a purple floral shirt and matching trousers, arrives at Yas Marina Circuit for Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on November 17, 2022. Victor Besa / The National

Lewis Hamilton, in a Tommy Jeans x Martine Rose shirt and jeans, arrives for the first practice session ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on November 18, 2022. AFP

From left, Lewis Hamilton's style over the years, in 2008, 2022 and 2015.

Lewis Hamilton is known for his eye-catching looks as much as his Formula One driving expertise.

When he arrives at circuits around the world, he makes style statements via colourful tracksuits and co-ordinated sets. The same goes for glittering red carpet events, where the British racing driver rarely shies away from pops of colour, clashing garments and high-fashion pieces that are fresh from the runway.

He has already been flaunting his style prowess at Yas Marina Circuit ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, as he touched down in the capital for the last race of the 2022 season. On Thursday, he wore a purple floral silk shirt by Versace, which he paired with oversized cargo pants in the same hue.

Ahead of Friday's practice sessions, he was spotted trackside in a laid-back Hawaiian-style shirt from the Tommy Jeans x Martine Rose collection, which he paired with a silver chain and light-wash jeans.

Hamilton mixes it up when it comes to his go-to designers, turning to everyone including Alexander McQueen, Isabel Marant, Valentino, Louis Vuitton, Burberry and Fendi for his stylish buys. He also looks to lesser-known brands, such as Ahluwalia, from Indian-Nigerian designer Priya Ahluwalia. He recently sported a piece by the label to the Bahrain Grand Prix. And he wore the Quebec streetwear brand 3.Paradis to the Saudi Grand Prix in December.

Towards the beginning of his career, he opted for safer black, grey and navy suits, and wore a tuxedo by high street store Topman to his first Met Gala in 2015.

Look back at Hamilton's style evolution in the gallery above

He is also known for blending fashion with activism, wearing Black Lives Matter-emblazoned garments on a regular basis and, in September, he took the opportunity to invite a table of emerging black talents to the 2021 Met Gala.

"I've brought four incredible, young, black talented designers," he said of his guests, "so we've got a great host of people tonight and it's about just highlighting beauty and excellence and talent."

He invited American designers Kenneth Nicholson, Theophilio and Jason Rembert, stylist Law Roach, model Alton Mason, singer Kehlani, and athletes Miles Chamley-Watson and Sha'Carri Richardson. On the night, Hamilton wore a Nicholson design.

Fashion is a passion of Hamilton's, something that he says "takes the weight off" the intensity of Formula One title races.

“I love being able to separate from the sport, and the intensity of this whole season is difficult for everyone that's at the track,” he told F1 media in 2021. “So to be able to have something else, another outlet, that you can focus on helps take the weight off it."

Speaking of appearing at fashion-focused events, he said: “It's a much different world naturally to F1. F1's obviously not focused on that and it's obviously very corporate. There is no fashion, actually, in F1.

“I always felt like it was always a place that it wasn't easy to be yourself. And when I went to a fashion show, when you're in a fashion week for example, you're surrounded by people from all different walks of life, expressing themselves in different ways.

“I love that environment where I'm able to be able to express myself. I now do that on the racetrack. And I feel free to be able to do so.”