Lewis Hamilton

How Cool Runnings 'inspired' Hamilton

Sam Hall Thursday 27 October 2022 05:00

Lewis Hamilton has revealed how the iconic 1993 film 'Cool Runnings' inspired him during his junior racing career.

The seven-time champion has been open in his experiences in karting and the early days of his career when there was, at best, limited diversity.

Cool Runnings is loosely based on the true story of the Jamaica national bobsleigh team's debut in competition during the 1988 Winter Olympics.

In the film, the team come up against numerous difficulties, including a blade falling off their bobsled. But rather than give up, the team pick it up and carry it across the finish line.

Speaking to Deadline after launching his own film and TV production company, Hamilton said: "Throughout my life, even back to when I was a kid, I’d refer to movies. Whether I’m talking to a friend, my engineer or a CEO, I often quote movies.

"Cool Runnings is one I often think about and reference.

"It’s so uplifting, but it was also very relevant to me as a kid when I was the only person of colour at the race track.

"The kind of look that we got as a family was the same as the Jamaican bobsled team got. It inspired me.

"For me, the end of the movie when they are determined to finish the race even if it means carrying their sled over the line, is about integrity and values."

Latest News

British Grand Prix

F1 2025 British Grand Prix weather forecast - Latest from Silverstone as teams braced for chaotic conditions

19 minutes ago

British Grand Prix

Police issue British Grand Prix warning

33 minutes ago

Red Bull

Christian Horner issues Red Bull 'idiots' claim

1 hour ago

Red Bull

Red Bull chief confirms new driver debut at Silverstone

2 hours ago

F1 Today

F1 News Today: McLaren driver disqualified as Piastri launches X-rated rant

2 hours ago

Latest F1 News

Lando Norris set for major F1 British GP advantage at Silverstone this weekend

3 hours ago

More news

FIA issue Lando Norris disqualification verdict at Austrian Grand Prix

29 june

300.000+ views

FIA announce Charles Leclerc disqualification verdict ahead of Canadian Grand Prix

12 june

250.000+ views

F1 News Today: Austrian Grand Prix race result confirmed as FIA issue Lando Norris disqualification verdict

Yesterday 21:20

200.000+ views

FIA announce George Russell punishment verdict at Canadian Grand Prix

14 june

150.000+ views

FIA announce harsh McLaren penalty verdict after Oscar Piastri incident at Canadian GP

14 june

150.000+ views

Mercedes F1 star hit by FIA deleted lap ruling after Canadian Grand Prix

16 june

F1 News 24/7

Races

About GPFans

GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.

We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.

With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.

Follow us on your favorite social media channel

Corporate & Media

Innovatieweg 20C
7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY

How Cool Runnings 'inspired' Hamilton

How Cool Runnings 'inspired' Hamilton