echo Disclaimer: This article is written from the author’s point of view, based on her experience at ‘Thank You, Lewis’ by PETRONAS.
To all the motorsports fans out there, have you ever wondered “What would it feel like to stand in the same room as a seven-time world champion? To have the privilege of hearing him share his experiences and opinions in depth with an exclusive audience?” Well, I didn’t have to imagine it—I lived it! Attending a private event for fans hosted by PETRONAS, join me as I relive my experience witnessing Lewis Hamilton share invaluable advice, reveal the backstory behind his iconic “It’s Hammertime” quote, advocate for inclusivity in motorsports, and answer juicy fan questions.
The name Lewis Hamilton comes as no stranger to anyone with even a passing interest in motorsports, especially if you live here in Malaysia, where PETRONAS has been a long-time title partner of the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula 1 Team. As a proud sponsor, PETRONAS has brought Formula 1 closer to home, making Lewis Hamilton a household name among motorsports enthusiasts in the country. The British driver has famously won a joint record total of seven drivers championship titles, on par with the legendary Michael Schumacher, easily making him one of the most well-known and talented drivers in Formula 1 history.
Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula 1 Team driver, Lewis Hamilton
On December 10th 2024, my friend, Adrianna and I attended an exclusive PETRONAS event held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. We felt incredibly fortunate to have secured access to this event, especially given its strict limit on the number of attendees. This event was hosted as part of Hamilton’s farewell tour with Mercedes, marking the end of his 12-year partnership with the team before he transitions to the next chapter of his career with Scuderia Ferrari, where he will race alongside Charles Leclerc.
Lewis Hamilton, alongside future Ferrari teammate, Charles Leclerc
THE WAITING PROCESS
There was a buzz of excitement the second we stepped foot into the KLCC LRT Station. Dozens of people clad in Mercedes shirts, merchandise, and caps filled the station and shopping mall, their enthusiasm palpable. Among them, a few fans even sported Ferrari gear, hinting at the anticipation for Hamilton’s next chapter with the team. We had arrived at the Convention Centre relatively early, lining up by 12.30 pm, even though the gates would only open at 2 pm. We knew the wait would be long before Lewis actually arrived, but any potential discomfort or boredom was overridden by the electric anticipation of what lay ahead.
After passing through a security check, fans were given light-up bracelets and a small gift box, containing Mercedes pins made just for attending the event. The moment we stepped through the event’s doors, we were greeted with a concert-like atmosphere, with a stage, complete with band equipment and projected images of Lewis in the backdrop. The event hall was decked out with lights varying in colours, complete with some background music to provide an exhilarating ambience, further amplifying everyone’s anticipation to see the famous driver. At the far right end of the hall, fans were ecstatic to see official suits worn by Lewis over the years, caps, helmets and even an actual Formula 1 car! Most fans immediately sprinted to the front (or at least, to the front of the non-VIP and winner section), eager to get a good view of the stage, and hopefully, of Lewis himself.
Light-up bracelets
The event’s stage
Freebies given to fans
Mercedes PETRONAS pins
THE PRE-EVENT
Fan Trivia and Quiz
We stood until 4 pm, waiting for the pre-event to begin. Admittedly, it was a long wait, but it proved to be worth it in the end! The pre-event began with a fan trivia and quiz, hosted by emcee, Aisyah. Fans would be picked at random from the crowd, and by answering the questions correctly, they would win signed merchandise. Naturally, everyone was ecstatic, with many fans chosen to come up on stage and answer questions. Among these questions included ‘What year did Lewis Hamilton win his first F1 Grand Prix World Championship?’, ‘In which country did Lewis Hamilton achieve his 100th Grand Prix Win?’ and ‘How many World Championships did Lewis win?’ (which is 7 officially, and 8 theoretically, a trick question, if you will).
Lewis Hamilton won his third World Drivers Championship back in 2015
Bunkface Performance
Around 4.20 pm, attendees were given the honour of watching a short setlist performance by the iconic Malaysian band, Bunkface. Their high-energy performance instantly electrified the crowd, with fans singing along to their popular hits. The band’s infectious energy and dynamic stage presence perfectly complemented the already vibrant atmosphere of the event. Songs like Situasi and Prom Queen had the audience on their feet, clapping, cheering, and dancing to the beat. It was clear that Bunkface’s music resonated deeply with the attendees, bridging the gap between motorsport excitement and local pride. The performance set the perfect tone for what was shaping up to be an unforgettable evening for all 3,000 of the event’s attendees.
The Bunkface logo after performing their opening song, Malam Ini Kita Punya
Lead vocalist Sam Bunkface (Shamsul Anuar)
LEWIS TAKES THE STAGE
The Buildup
As the performance concluded and we were left to occupy ourselves for a few moments, the atmosphere suddenly shifted. Gasps and cheers erupted from the crowd as word spread that Lewis Hamilton had arrived at the Convention Centre. Through Instagram stories, Tweets and TikToks, the news spread like wildfire, as he greeted the fans waiting outside the venue in hopes of a chance to see him too, further fueling the excitement inside.
Fans at the main entrance to the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre
Lewis Hamilton at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre
He’s Here!
The anticipation reached a fever pitch as the crowd erupted in cheers. Then, with an air of undeniable charisma, Lewis Hamilton entered the hall. The sound of applause and shouts of admiration echoed throughout the venue as fans cheered and screamed excitedly to welcome the seven-time world champion. With his signature box braids tied back, Lewis walked onto the stage exuding effortless style, wearing a sleek Mercedes sweatshirt paired with white pants and a white necklace that added a touch of flair. His presence alone electrified the atmosphere, making the moment unforgettable for everyone in attendance.
Lewis Hamilton in the event hall
The first thing Lewis did upon stepping onto the stage was thank the fans for the incredible surprise. With a warm smile, he admitted he had no idea so many of us were gathered there and expressed his heartfelt gratitude for having an event like this hosted in his honour. He spoke with genuine emotion, sharing how much he appreciated the love and support from everyone in attendance. His words were beyond thoughtful, making it clear just how much he valued the connection with his fans. Many fans held up their handmade signs in hopes of being noticed by Lewis, especially since this might just be their last chance to do so.
THE INTERVIEW
Without further ado, it was now time for the interview! It was conducted by a member of the official Mercedes crew, a seasoned professional who skillfully guided the conversation. The interviewer touched on many topics that had fans squealing with excitement. Starting strong, the interviewer began the session by asking Lewis what it is about Malaysia that he loves so much. With a bright smile, Lewis enthusiastically responded, sharing his deep appreciation for the country. “I can’t say the heat, because it’s too hot here!” he jokes. “It’s all of you guys, the fans. I’ve always loved how diverse it is here!”
Lewis Hamilton during the interview segment
When discussing PETRONAS, Lewis expressed his deep admiration for the company, highlighting the significance of female workers. “They’re the real strength of this company,” he remarked appreciatively. He shared how in the world of F1, it comes as no surprise that the company is primarily male-dominated. He noted how racing originated in a male-centric space but emphasised the importance of progress and inclusivity. As of recently, Formula One has taken a positive step in that direction, as they launched F1 Academy back in 2023, which serves as a racing championship for female drivers.
In addition to that, Lewis touches on the importance of self-belief and having faith in your dreams. Reflecting on his life-changing decision to switch from McLaren to Mercedes back in 2013, Lewis shares the doubts and criticism he faced from both his family and the public, and how it was his instincts and faith that led to the creation of one of the most successful driver-team partnerships in Formula 1 history. “I remember when I joined the team in 2013, my dad was like ‘Stay in McLaren.’ And so many people around me were trying to impact my decision-making. At the time, I was like ‘I’m going to make the decision myself, regardless of what all the other people say.’ And then when I made the decision, all the backlash from the media, everyone who was saying ‘It’s over, it’s the worst decision you’ll ever make’, it was amazing to then see all that doubt change.” In hopes of sharing a piece of much-needed advice with the fans, especially those struggling with the paths they’re taking, Lewis advised “For any of you, there will be so many things that you’re challenged with and faced with, don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it, that you’re not good enough, because its BS, at the end of the day. Only you will know what’s right for you.”
Lewis Hamilton at Thank You, Lewis
Straying away from that and leaning to more lighthearted questions, the interviewer asked Lewis if there were any race victories that stood out to him (well, other than Silverstone, of course). Lewis replied, “I think Silverstone this year (2024) was the most emotional by a long way.” He started. “I won’t say I get to cry too often, it’s a really good thing to cry, by the way! When I cried in Silverstone, so much came out in the last lap and then following that, I was like ‘Where did that come from?’ But that was really special because also my family was there with me. And I’ve been so fortunate, y’know? I’ve won these championships, I’ve won races. But there are a lot of drivers who don’t ever get to have one win. I thought maybe that’s it, maybe there will never be another one. But I just kept thinking maybe there will be one (more win) coming, as long as I keep working towards it. And when it came (at Silverstone 2024), I was like ‘Wow, that ‘never giving up’, that ‘continuing to push’ part is so important for everyone to have’”.
Lewis then recalls the backstory behind his iconic quote and tagline, “It’s Hammertime”. With the context of his engineer speaking to him over the team radio, Lewis starts “He (his race engineer) would come on the radio just before our stop, and he’s like ‘Okay Lewis, time to push’ and it would frustrate me so much because I’ve been pushing for a half an hour already! And I would’ve come back and said something but y’know, you can’t say too much” he jokes on the FIA’s strict driver rules on swearing. “So when I came back, I was like ‘Next time you want me to go to the next level, tell me ‘It’s Hammertime’ and I’ll know what you mean’”, he continued, causing the crowd to erupt in cheers. “And I’ve never had a nickname, so ‘Hammer’ and ‘Hamilton’, it all kind of worked out!”
Lewis Hamilton on stage
To avid motorsports fans, it is no secret that Lewis Hamilton often expresses himself through fashion on the paddock, and through his helmet designs on track. Naturally, the interviewer asked him where he draws inspiration for creating such striking and meaningful race helmet designs. To this, Lewis responds “With my helmets, I would literally just draw them as a kid. I’d draw the whole helmet, and I’d draw the designs, and it took me forever because I was not very good at colouring. And then I used to send it to the helmet designer and would say to make it like that. I don’t draw them anymore because I don’t have time. So basically, I work with the designer, go back and forth on ideas, and I make adjustments all the time.”
One of the more important topics of conversation was Mission 44. Founded by Lewis Hamilton in 2021, Mission 44 serves as a charitable foundation that exists to build a fairer, more inclusive future for young people around the world. Additionally, The Hamilton Commission is a research project that aims to improve the representation of Black People in the UK motorsport and STEM sectors. Lewis built this foundation from his experience as the only person of colour in his field, and to this day, he remains the only Black driver in Formula 1 history. With a strong focus on education and empowerment, Lewis has channelled his platform to create meaningful change.
The interviewer took this opportunity to ask how the initiative was progressing. “It’s going really, really well. I think it’s taken so much time to build up the foundation. Believe it or not, there are obviously thousands of foundations in the world with so many people doing great stuff, but finding a real cause, finding a real purpose and working towards it, and building a team is taking so much time. The Hamilton Commission for me was really such a great piece of work that I was able to present to the sport, and it’s taken a while but Formula 1, the FIA, just signed a diversity inclusion charter which is something I’m so proud of because that means finally it’s getting the traction.”
Lewis Hamilton’s final time visiting the PETRONAS Twin Towers
THE FAN Q&A SESSION
To engage the audience, all event attendees were given a form to fill out online, which included a section to write down a question for Lewis. This was for a planned Q&A session, where Lewis would randomly select questions from the submissions to answer on stage, offering fans a rare opportunity to connect with him directly. Admittedly, this was the highlight of the event, where some of the juiciest and most unique questions were asked, giving fans a chance to hear Lewis share candid and unexpected insights.
One of the questions was so unexpected and unhinged, it had everyone in the crowd raising their phones to record Lewis’ response. ‘Who is your greatest rival in Formula 1?’ is what the paper read. Lewis skillfully dodged the question at first, but the fans weren’t having it. “Honestly, this is not included in the people that I’ve competed against, my greatest rival is myself, up ahead.” Humorously, the eruption from the crowd and the interviewer’s acknowledgement encouraged him to change his answer. “In terms of other racing drivers that I’ve competed against?” he started. “What I’ve based a competitor on is not just what they do on the track, it’s how they engage with their teams, how they behave. So for me? Sebastian Vettel is the best world champion that I know because he’s far more than a driver. He’s someone who wills passion, is empathetic, and he cares for people. He’s actually the only other one that’s tried to utilize his platform for some good.” Classy dodge, Lewis. We’ll take it.
Sebastian Vettel (left) and Lewis Hamilton (right)
Another question that was asked was ‘If you had the chance to be in a time machine, which moment would you return to?’ Lewis seemed to ponder on this for quite a bit, while fans eagerly shouted their own suggestions, adding to the lively and interactive atmosphere. Lewis began by explaining how he would not necessarily go back in the past to either re-live or do things over. He states how he wouldn’t be the person or driver he is today without the experiences he faced. He highlighted pivotal years like 2007 and 2021 as defining moments in his journey before finally revealing his official answer, leaving the audience captivated. “If I was to be able to go back, I want to go and see who built the pyramids. That’s what I would go back to, or an alien landing at some stage. I’m fascinated by the pyramids and the fact that the coordinates of the pyramids are exactly the numbers as the speed of light. That’s kind of crazy.”
AN OFFICIAL GOODBYE
Unfortunately, we couldn’t hold Lewis back forever, as much as we wanted to. Everyone started getting emotional when it was time for the Mercedes driver to say his final farewell to fans here in Malaysia, before embarking on his upcoming journey with Scuderia Ferrari. With heartfelt words, Lewis expressed his deep gratitude to everyone present, as well as to PETRONAS, Mercedes and Malaysia, for their continuous support throughout his career. After posing for final photos and waving goodbye, the hall erupted in a burst of confetti, marking the end of an unforgettable (and emotional) evening.
Lewis Hamilton saying his goodbyes to the crowd, before leaving the venue
To conclude the event, PETRONAS presented a heartfelt tribute video dedicated to Lewis. The video celebrated his incredible achievements during his years with the team, highlighting the countless victories and milestones that solidified PETRONAS as a respected and well-known brand in the motorsports world. It was a touching gesture of gratitude, acknowledging not only Lewis’s racing prowess but also the invaluable partnership that brought success and recognition all across the world. The audience erupted in applause, a fitting send-off for a legend who had left an indelible mark on Malaysia, Formula 1 and the PETRONAS name.
A tribute video made to Lewis by Mercedes and PETRONAS
POST EVENT
As the video played, Adrianna and I wasted no time, rushing to the back of the event space to snap pictures of the memorabilia before the crowd surged in. When we arrived, we were greeted by an impressive display of racing history; race suits, helmets, and even the stunning F1 car used throughout the season, all meticulously showcased. The atmosphere was electric as fans marvelled at the items, each piece telling its own story of Lewis Hamilton’s career, with a clear description written under each piece for informational purposes.
Adrianna and Ashley with the Mercedes W15, the model used throughout the 2024 season
Some of the helmets used by Lewis throughout the years
Lewis’s race suit for the 2016 season, the year in which he claimed the final of his three consecutive wins at the PETRONAS Malaysia Grand Prix
Lewis’s 2023 season race suit
A cutout of Lewis displayed outside the venue for photo ops
Attending this event was nothing short of extraordinary, offering a rare chance to witness Lewis Hamilton’s charisma, personality, and deep connection with his fans, especially here in Malaysia. His inspiring words and heartfelt gratitude left a lasting impression on everyone present. As he begins a new chapter in his racing career with Scuderia Ferrari, fans in Malaysia and across the globe will undoubtedly continue to support him.
A friend of mine once said, “Where Lewis goes, I go,” and I’m sure many fans share the same sentiment. While many of us will continue to support Mercedes, there’s no denying the excitement and hope surrounding Lewis’s journey with Ferrari. This event wasn’t just a farewell, it was a celebration of his remarkable legacy and marks the start of a new era. Some of us may turn in our black team colours for a striking Ferrari red as we eagerly sit back and await what 2025 has in store; I, for one, am excited.
Written by: Ashley Anne Danker
Edited by: Tisyha
