German Car Zone

Lewis Hamilton has reportedly spent an eye-watering nearly $400,000 for a personalised number-plate. The British formula 1 driver is now the flamboyant owner of the plate ‘LEW 1S’, which he will attach to his black 4×4 Mercedes-Benz for use in Switzerland, his adopted tax-haven home.

The plate was formerly owned by property tycoon Bob Lewis, who bought it last year for less than $100,000.

“A friend said he had been reluctant to part with the plate but (Hamilton’s) offer had been too good to refuse,” the British newspaper Daily Telegraph revealed.

In contrast, Hamilton’s track rival Nick Heidfeld has vowed to pledge some of his earnings to a worthy cause.

“I am lucky to have quite a lot of money and I would like to be able to give some of it away,” the German told ITV.

Heidfeld, who drives for BMW-Sauber, said he is considering pledging some money towards an invention that would clean water for underprivileged people.

“That’s something I find very interesting and its something I’m considering,” he added.

In other brief news, it has emerged that McLaren race team member Steve Hewitt had a ride in the medical helicopter to hospital during the Montreal weekend after he hurt his thumb in the paddock.

The thumb was not broken as feared, and Hewitt returned to the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve with a stitch or two, Switzerland’s Motorsport Aktuell reports.


Source: Motor Authority Hamilton blows $400,000 on “LEW 1S” number plate

gotta love how the press shows contrast's in character and behaviour.

Yeah. I don't see anything wrong with Hamilton dropping that much on a plate. He hasn't become very wealthy until the recent 18 months or so while Heidfeld is close to 8 years older and have already spent money on what ever he wants.

LOL ....the British press created a lot of hype around Hamilton ....and now it seems they want to kick him in the head.

So what?

What Hamilton choses to do with his own money is his business.

Motor Authority is American

Here in the UK he's still the golden child with the press biased more than ever. He will be coming to Britain in the first week of July for the British Grand Prix, and on the 2nd July he'll be in London for Bernie Ecclestone's charity event. I'll be lining up along side the red carpet for autographs. It's going to be absolute pandemonium over here.

So did he really move to Switzerland to avoid the publicity? If so he really shouldn't use the plate on his car, he can buy it, I got no problems with that.

That crossed my mind as well. Not a good move if you want to be low key, but apparently he's invisible as a normal person in Switzerland. Last week I read an interview where Hamilton said that he can drive to the airport there and pick friends up without anyone even caring for him. The same applies to going out for a jog.

In the UK it would have been the complete opposite. As hot as he is right now, he can't live in the UK. He simply wouldn't have been left alone neither by the population nor by the press. Thanks to living outside the UK, the press here have very little to write about him which isn't F1 related.

We know he also really moved to Switzerland for the tax advantages he gets as a wealthy foreign citizen.

I thought he moved to Switzerland for favourable tax system?

Guys, what is this all about Switzerland and the tax system? What is different in comparison to the UK?