Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time Formula 1 champion, once secretly tested a Superbike, leaving his Mercedes boss Toto Wolff unable to contact him for two days. This test, which took place in 2018 at the Jerez circuit, showcased Hamilton’s passion for motorcycle racing but also raised concerns after he crashed during the session.
Hamilton joined the Crescent Racing World Superbike team for a two-day test on a Yamaha YZF-R1 shortly after securing his fifth F1 world title. His love for motorcycles is no secret—he even has a signature MV Agusta model and previously swapped rides with MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi in 2019. More recently, reports link Hamilton to potential investments in MotoGP teams, including discussions with KTM.
Reflecting on the 2018 test, Wolff shared the story on the Armchair Expert podcast, revealing how Hamilton’s radio silence caused alarm. “Secretly, they went testing in Jerez, and I couldn’t get hold of him or one of my engineers, who is a motorbike enthusiast, for two days,” Wolff said. “When I finally got through, his engineer told me, ‘It’s all fine, we just finished biking.’ That’s when I learned Lewis had crashed, but fortunately, he was unhurt.”
Despite the mishap, Hamilton’s performance impressed onlookers. Wolff remarked, “He was just four seconds off the MotoGP pros. His natural talent and body control are unbelievable, which is what makes him a champion.”
However, former Yamaha World Superbike rider Michael van der Mark offered a slightly different perspective at the time, stating that Hamilton was closer to seven seconds behind the professionals. “With more time on the bike, he could get faster,” van der Mark noted.
Hamilton’s enthusiasm for motorcycles extended to earlier in 2018, when he rode a Superbike at a Monster Energy event in California alongside MotoGP winner Cal Crutchlow.
Recently, speculation about Hamilton’s involvement in MotoGP reignited when KTM Motorsport’s boss, Pit Beirer, confirmed “concrete” talks with Hamilton’s management about potential investment.
As Hamilton gears up for a new chapter with Ferrari in F1 for the 2025 season, his versatility and passion for motorsports continue to captivate fans across disciplines.
