Lewis Hamilton has opened up on how he rebelled against the ‘horrible’ Formula One fashion he was made to wear when he first joined the sport.

The racing driver, 40, is these days just as synonymous with his quirky sense of style than his excellence behind the wheel of a racing car.

But in a new interview, Lewis recalled that his confidence in expressing himself through fashion wasn’t always there as at one point he felt he was expected to ‘fit a mold’ during the early days of his career. 

Speaking in Vogue’s Met Gala May issue, in which he stars on the cover alongside fellow co-chairs Colman Domingo, A$AP Rocky and Pharrell Williams, Lewis told how he wasn’t exposed to much diversity or fashion during his childhood, so got his fix through magazines, films and music videos.

After being inspired by the likes of Cab Calloway and André Leon Talley, Lewis began experimenting with his style, finding bargain designer pieces at thrift stores and growing the confidence to realise who he really was.

However, an incident with a racing boss made him question whether he should be dressing a certain way to ‘fit the mold’.

Lewis Hamilton has opened up on how he rebelled against the ‘horrible’ Formula One fashion he was made to wear when he first joined the sport

The racing driver, 40, is these days just as synonymous with his quirky sense of style than his excellence behind the wheel of a racing car

He shared: ‘Just before I got to Formula 1, I remember being looked up and down by a boss, and he definitely wasn’t impressed with what I was wearing. I was probably in FUBU and Timbs. I remember thinking, Shoot, I’ve really got to fit into this mold. And my dad expected me to fit into that mold too.’

And after being made to feel uncomfortable in the ‘horrible’ fashions expected of F1 drivers, Lewis explained how he finally pushed the boundaries of fashion and began wearing what he wanted to races.

He remarked: ‘When I first signed with F1 I was only allowed to wear suits and team kits, and it was horrible. I didn’t feel comfortable, and I didn’t feel like I was able to be myself.

‘Eventually, I had the courage to push beyond those boundaries and say, “Look, I want to turn up to the track in what I want to wear. I’m here now—you can’t get rid of me or change the way I dress.” The pushback was mᴀssive.’

After making a big impact with ‘my little runway’ and becoming established as a style icon, Lewis went on to influence other racing drivers and encouraged them to also express their own style. 

Lewis has come along way with his fashion and will no doubt wow on the red carpet next month at the Met Gala, which he is co-chair.

This year’s theme is Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, with the exhibit influenced by Monica L. Miller’s book Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Idenтιтy.  

The sportsman hopes the event will ‘sparks conversation’ and ‘reconfirms the connection between fashion and self-expression’, particularly how deep it runs in Black culture.

Lewis told how he wasn’t exposed to much diversity or fashion during his childhood, so got his fix through magazines, films and music videos [pictured in 1997]

‘Just before I got to Formula 1, I remember being looked up and down by a boss, and he definitely wasn’t impressed with what I was wearing’

‘I had the courage to push beyond those boundaries and say, “Look, I want to turn up to the track in what I want to wear. I’m here now- you can’t get rid of me or change the way I dress”

Read More Lewis Hamilton stuns fans after showing off new hairstyle at Japanese Grand Prix

It comes after earlier this month, fans were left in shock by Lewis at the Japanese Grand Prix after the Brit unveiled a new hairstyle. 

Hamilton has endured a mixed start to life at Ferrari since his move from Mercedes, with the seven-time world champion finishing 10th in Australia before he was disqualified in China after initially coming fifth, although he did win the sprint race.

He followed that up with a seventh-place finish in Suzuka, but eagle-eyed supporters were quick to notice something different about Hamilton’s appearance.

Ahead of the Grand Prix getting underway, Hamilton was seen preparing for the race next to his car.

As he adjusted his Balaclava, which all drivers wear to cover their heads – something that provides additional protection – he decided to pull the piece of equipment completely off to readjust his hair.

Lewis stars on the cover of Vogue alongside fellow co-chairs Colman Domingo, A$AP Rocky and Pharrell Williams

And when Hamilton did so, his hair was unbraided, with the Brit renowned for having braided hair, while he has occasionally unfurled carefully manicured cornrows. 

Instead, the sportsman’s hair was lengthy and slightly frizzy as he attempted to tie it into a bun.  

Several fans were quick to pick up on this as one said: ‘Lewis with his hair unbraided– hello!’

Another added: ‘Love it. Let it out lewis.’

Further fans joined in as another added: ‘Ohhh what,’ with an extra supporter saying: ‘So surprised to see it all loose! Maybe he’s due another braiding.’