Different' Hamilton reveals post-F1 career decision

Lewis Hamilton wants to take a different post-F1 career route.

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For iconic, successful sporting superstars, retirement options are usually pretty straightforward.

Well-paid work in the media immediately comes their way, and they'll top up their bank balances by taking the chance to appear in commercials, or working in coaching or advisory roles.

But it seems we won't be hearing Lewis Hamilton on the BBC or promoting his line of underpants any time soon as it seems he's set to take a very different direction after hanging up his, er, steering wheel.

The most prolific British winner of grands prix is already planning for life after motorsport following his split with Simon Fuller’s XIX Management, and his ideas are actually very refreshing.

His contract with XIX expired a month ago after a four-year relationship during which he made a £20 million-a-year move to Mercedes - but that was the end of that.

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According to a report in the Daily Telegraph, representatives at XIX produced analysis for Hamilton on Oprah Winfrey and Madonna’s charitable work, with a view to doing something similar.

"He would like to build something – a school, or a hospital – in an impoverished part of the world. He has worked for UNICEF and Save the Children as an ambassador and is serious about pursuing humanitarian work after F1," it was reported.

 

Hamilton said: “A lot of drivers come back after F1 and do commentary, but I have different plans and aspirations.

"So it’s about positioning myself so that when I stop I have something to continue on with.

"At some stage, when I retire, I’ll have something that I’m also really interested in that is a substitute for racing. So that’s something I want to start working towards.”

This isn't out of the blue, either. In 2008, the Briton set up a foundation with the help of his father, Anthony, but it seems that was just the beginning of his philanthropy as he sets his sights on an unusual career change following his current sporting life.

And while Motorhead is happy to stick the boot in when Hamilton's ego crosses the line, on this occasion we're even happier to give him a big, hearty, pat on the back.