“I’m just getting started”: F1 icon Lewis Hamilton once drove on NASCAR track at Pocono to film an advert 

While Lewis Hamilton is regarded as one of the greatest drivers in Formula 1, he also has a connection with NASCAR. The seven-time world champion once drove his title-winning Mercedes-AMG race car on Pocono Raceway for a Tommy Hilfiger ad.

In the past few years, Hamilton has become the face of the US-based luxury brand Tommy Hilfiger. The collaboration between the then-4x F1 champion and the fashion powerhouse was first established in 2018. Tommy Hilfiger announced Hamilton as their global ambassador for their men’s portfolio, thereby making him the first Brit to represent the brand on a global level. Since then, the TommyXLewis collection has become a mainstay in the brand's line-up.

However, ahead of the official announcement of the collaboration, Hamilton secretly shot an advertisement for Tommy Hilfiger at the Pocono Raceway. Located in the serene Pocono mountain range, the iconic tri-oval racetrack has been hosting both NASCAR and IndyCar races since the early 1970s. Hamilton drove a few laps around the circuit for the shoot.

"What's driven me my whole life is the will to succeed. You have the potential to be amazing. It's there in all of us. Drive. I'm just getting started," Hamilton commented, in the ad.

The entire video and an aerial shot of the racetrack were shared on X by a NASCAR and motorsport writer. Here's a look at the post, captioned:

"October 16: 2017: Lewis Hamilton made laps in his F1 car at Pocono. The world champion came to NASCAR territory to film a Tommy Hilfiger ad"

Although the circuit has never run a Formula 1 race, it has been a host for the Formula 5000 series from 1967 to 1976.

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"Maybe we can celebrate the 351st in greater style in Austin” - Mercedes's technical director James Allison looking forward to a new milestone with Lewis Hamilton at COTA

Lewis Hamilton marked his 350th race start in Formula 1 in Singapore on September 22nd, 2024. While the result at the Marina Bay Street Circuit was something to forget, Mercedes-AMG's technical director James Allison is looking forward to celebrating a new milestone with the Brit at Circuit of The Americas.

With substantial upgrades planned for the race weekend at Austin, Allison is hopeful of providing the 7x world champion an opportunity to celebrate his last US Grand Prix with the German team.

"Lewis has had a career that I think won't ever be matched by any other driver, and for him to have done it all with one engine supply, with Mercedes engines, is I think particularly remarkable. We are coming towards the end of our journey with him and almost every weekend is a milestone never to be repeated with Lewis," Allison said.

“It's just a shame that it happened on a weekend where the car was not more bright, and my hope is that we won't have to go too far beyond the 350th – maybe we can celebrate the 351st in greater style in Austin,” he added.

As of now, Hamilton is standing sixth in the driver's table and is 19 points ahead of his teammate George Russell.