Hamilton branches out – launches Film and TV company

Lewis Hamilton has added another string to his bow, the F1 mega star launching his own film and TV company, Dawn Apollo Films.

The seven-time world champion reiterated recently that he has no plans to retire any time soon from the sport, but the Mercedes driver is laying the groundwork for a life after Formula 1.

Hamilton's business interests have led to endeavors in the world of fashion, food and American football as an investor in the Denver Broncos.

However, Hollywood has beckoned in recent years and Hamilton's new production company is involved in two projects with Apple TV+: a feature documentary on his own stellar career, and a racing film to which Top Gun: Maverick director Joe Kosinski and superstar Brad Pitt are attached.

Speaking to entertainment industry website Deadline, Hamilton revealed that the main ambition for his film production company will be to push "meaningful conversations and impactful storytelling".

"I’ve always been into movies. I watch a lot. I find it a real escape," he said. "There are a lot of movies I find inspiring and I’ve always dreamed of one day doing something in this space.

"The question was often asked whether I would act. I’ve been very fortunate to be an F1 driver so I never really had time to dedicate to the craft of acting but a dream of mine has been to story-tell.

"I sat down with my team, and I asked 'What would it take for us to start a production company?', and I went around and I met a range of producers and filmmakers in LA just to gain knowledge. One of them was Jeffrey Katzenberg.

"The goal is to make impactful stories and ultimately to inspire people through movies and storytelling. A big part of the new company will be about social impact, community and causes. That’s very important to me."

• Read also: Hamilton says Brad Pitt led F1 film will be 'best racing movie ever'

Hamilton has no plans of making a cameo appearance in Kosinki and Pitt's racing film. As for the documentary that will chronicle his journey to F1, the film is slated for a release "at the end of 2023 or early 2024".

"The movie’s script is still being fine-tuned so a release date isn’t set yet," said Hamilton.

For the 37-year-old Grand Prix legend, Dawn Apollo Films is all about enjoying, when the time comes, a seamless transition from the fast to the slow lane.

"My main focus and my core job is still motor racing," Hamilton insisted. "I’m 37. I’m very focused on my health: on my body, my mind and my spiritual wellbeing.

"I’ve spoken to people who have said: ‘Look, when I stopped it all came crashing down. I wasn’t prepared to do other things. I hadn’t taken time to learn any other crafts, other skills'.

"So, when I do stop racing — which I don’t plan on doing for a while; I still feel I’m in a good place — I want it to be seamless.

"I want to be able to move on to fully focus on Dawn Apollo Films and to be able to jump in at a similar level to what I’ve been used to."

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