Our Founder

Our Founder

Meet Mission 44 Founder, Sir Lewis Hamilton.
Mission 44 was created by Sir Lewis Hamilton, whose upbringing and experience as the only 
person of colour in his field have left him determined to build a fairer, more inclusive future for young people. Discover Lewis’s story and hear his vision for our charity.
WATCH LEWIS'S STORY
"I know not every young person has the same opportunities as me. That’s why, despite the championships, the wins and the pole positions, setting up Mission 44 has been my proudest achievement so far."
Sir Lewis Hamilton
A champion
for diversity

Throughout his career, Sir Lewis Hamilton has been a vocal supporter of racial equality and the need to tackle the lack of diversity in motorsport. In 2020, as the Black Lives Matter movement caught the world’s attention, Lewis went public with The Hamilton Commission, a research report he had funded to address Black representation in UK motorsport. Impassioned by global events and inspired by the report’s recommendations, Lewis created Mission 44 with the vision to build a fairer, more inclusive future for young people around the world.

Read the report
Forever on a mission
As a child growing up in the UK, Sir Lewis Hamilton dreamt of becoming a Formula 1 driver. He didn’t see anyone of colour in the world of racing but felt inspired by athletes such as the Williams sisters and imagined what it would be like to be a Black F1 champion. 
At school, Lewis experienced exclusion and discrimination and was made to feel his dreams were off-limits. However, his parents believed in him and juggled multiple jobs to fund his time on the track. Thanks to their support and his talent and determination, Lewis is now the most successful F1 driver of all time. 
Despite his success, Lewis hasn’t forgotten where he came from, or what he went through to get here. So he’s using his platform to champion change. Through Mission 44, Lewis is backing organisations that support young people to overcome social injustice, so they can thrive in education and employment, and feel empowered to shape the world they live in.
Our charity’s name is a reference to Lewis’s racing car number and a reminder that it’s possible to succeed no matter what your background. We believe a more inclusive future is possible, and we won’t stop until we get there.
SUPPORT OUR MISSION
"I remember vividly just how difficult it was when I was a kid. Through the work that we’re doing, we have the chance to build a better future for today’s young people, both in the UK and around the world."
Sir Lewis Hamilton
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OUR ANNUAL REPORT
See the milestones we reached in 2022/23 on our mission to empower young people.
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