Turning down the Top Gun role was upsetting: Hamilton
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Turning down a fighter pilot role in Tom Cruise’s Top Gun: Maverick was “the most disturbing call I think I’ve ever had,” says Lewis Hamilton.
The seven-time British Formula 1 world champion said he accepted a role in the hit sequel to the original 1986 film.
However, he had to withdraw because filming took place during the Formula 1 season.
Hamilton says he “struck up a friendship” with Cruise after the Hollywood star invited him to the set of his 2014 sci-fi film Edge of Tomorrow.
Top Gun had Hamilton determined to become a fighter pilot as a child, and he couldn’t resist asking Cruise if he could take part in the long-awaited follow-up film.
“When I heard the second one was coming out, I was like, ‘Oh my God, I have to ask him,'” Hamilton said. Vanity Faircalling Cruise “one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet.”
“I said, ‘I don’t care what role it is. I’ll even sweep something, be a cleaner on the back.'”
In the interview, Hamilton said he had disliked following the rules “since he was a kid” and believes F1’s governing body the FIA ran the gamut. strict approach to drivers who carry jewelry in their cars To him.
“I’m the only one wearing jewelry, really,” said the Mercedes driver.
“I’ve never liked being told what to do. People love to have power and assert it.”
Hamilton said he had bad experiences with authority figures during his childhood.
“When I was at school I was dyslexic and I struggled like hell and I was one of the only black kids in my school, I was put in the lowest classes and I never got a chance to progress or even get help to progress,” he said.
“Teachers would tell me, ‘You’ll never be anything.’ I remember standing behind the shed, in tears, like, ‘I’ll be nothing,’ and I believed it for a split second.
“I don’t really hold a grudge against these people, because they fed me.”
Hamilton considered his future in F1 following the controversial 2021 season finale at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in December, when Star Wars creator George Lucas was among his friends supporting him in person at the race.
Currently sixth in the 2022 drivers’ standings, Hamilton has scored podiums in his last five races and hinted he could stay with Mercedes beyond the end of his existing deal in 2023.
“I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t thought about expanding,” he said.
“I’m still on a mission, I’m still enjoying driving, I’m still challenging myself. So I don’t really feel like I’m going to quit anytime soon.”
