Thank you Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC of Sir Lewis. All opinions in this review are my own.

I am so sad to say that I did not enjoy this book as much as I wanted to. I love Lewis Hamilton and what he has done for not only the sport of Formula 1, but also his commitment to making the world better too. I was so excited to get approved for this title that I immediately started reading it.

From the beginning, it is clear that the author is a Max hater (which I'm honestly fine with), but then he starts including comments made on Lewis's social media posts. I understand the point the author is trying to make, but it takes away from Lewis when he gives these people a space in a book about Lewis by naming them and doing a deep dive into the comment they posted online. These people are nobody important and they are just spewing hate online so to give them a section of your book was an odd choice.

There are also large portions of this book in the opening chapters that are not focused on Lewis. In one chapter, the author discusses other Black athletes who are at the pinnacle of their sports in order to draw the comparison of how Lewis's dad trained him when he was younger. While this is an important connection, multiple pages didn't need to be devoted to making it. Another chapter is solely devoted to describing the structure of qualifying for a race without mentioning Lewis once.

Luckily, once Lewis gets signed by McLaren, the book is much more focused on Lewis and is more like the Introduction than the opening chapters.

Overall, Sir Lewis struggles to focus on its main subject at times. While I still love the subject matter, I didn't love this writing.

Sir Lewis offered a powerful and meticulously researched portrait of one of the most extraordinary athletes of our time. As a biography, it struck an excellent balance between chronicling Lewis Hamilton’s groundbreaking Formula One career and exploring the social and cultural impact of his life off the track.
The book excelled in its depiction of Hamilton’s rise from a modest background in Stevenage to the heights of motorsport glory. The author delved into Hamilton’s early days karting, his relentless drive to succeed, and the immense pressure he faced breaking barriers in a sport historically resistant to diversity. These sections painted a vivid picture of Hamilton’s grit and determination, making his record-breaking achievements even more awe-inspiring.
What stood out most was the way the biography contextualized Hamilton’s influence beyond racing. From his advocacy for social justice to his trailblazing contributions to sustainability and diversity within motorsports, the author captured the complexity of Hamilton’s legacy. The narrative didn’t shy away from his challenges—both personal and professional—adding depth to the story of a man who consistently rose above adversity.
The writing occasionally leaned into hagiography, particularly in its later chapters, which celebrated Hamilton’s move to Ferrari and his enduring quest for titles. While this perspective felt deserved given Hamilton’s achievements, a slightly more critical lens might have rounded out the narrative for a fuller picture.
Overall, Sir Lewis was an engaging and thoughtful tribute to an icon whose impact transcends sport. It left me with a profound appreciation for Hamilton’s resilience and his commitment to pushing boundaries on and off the track. Whether you’re a Formula One fan or simply someone inspired by stories of extraordinary perseverance, this biography was well worth the read.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!