News

« Headlines

Race hots up for Hamilton

23.08.07 Katherine Rushton

At least seven different books about Lewis Hamilton could be battling it out with his official autobiography this Christmas as publishers aim to cash in on the British Formula One wunderkind's stunning début season.

John Blake, Icon, Tempus, Pennant Books and J H Haynes have unauthorised biographies of the driver, with two—Icon and Tempus—even using the same book title. Carlton Books is meanwhile preparing to launch a glossy collection of photographs in association with ITV Sport.

But the performance of the unofficial Hamilton books could be hit by the late release of an official autobiography. The young driver is understood to have agreed a deal with a UK publisher to launch a book this Christmas—thwarting predictions that he would wait until much later in his career.

Earlier this year, The Bookseller reported that David Luxton of Luxton Harris was touting two Hamilton books, but the sports agent could not be reached for comment. Every major trade publisher is understood to have put in a bid with Luxton and the deal is expected to win Hamilton an advance of at least £1m.

The McLaren driver made an exhilerating start to his first season, achieving nine consecutive podium positions. Despite missing out in the 10th race, he leads the drivers' championship by seven points and is widely tipped to win this year's world championship. If he does, he will become the youngest F1 driver ever to do so.

At Waterstone's, sports buyer Sam Harrison said it was too early to call which of the unofficial titles would net the highest sales. "Lewis Hamilton is undoubtedly one of the most exciting and successful young sportsmen Britain has ever seen, so it's no surprise that the race is on to get books out about him," he said. "Any one of these books could end up with a podium finish, but what would be guaranteed to lap them all would be an official book that Hamilton promoted."

Rights Katherine Rushton lewis hamilton

See Also