Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton may be trading in his race car for a seat on a SpaceX flight. In a recent media availability, Hamilton revealed that he has been in talks with SpaceX and Tesla founder Elon Musk about joining a space expedition.
“I am going, yes, at some stage,” Hamilton said during the event, which took place ahead of the Australian Grand Prix.
The seven-time Driver’s Champion went on to explain that he has had Musk as a guest at his dinner parties in Austin, Texas, for the last two years. It’s there that he’s conversed with the billionaire about his intention to visit outer space.
However, despite his interest in space travel, Hamilton remained skeptical about the prospect of boarding a SpaceX flight in the near future. He cited the recent explosion of the Starship rocket, which occurred just weeks after his conversation with Musk, as a reason to exercise caution.
“I’m going to let some other people go first,” Hamilton said, chuckling. “But I’m ready to go to space at any stage.”
Hamilton’s background as a thrill-seeker, coupled with his experience driving Formula One cars at speeds exceeding 200 miles per hour, makes him a prime candidate for a SpaceX flight. The racing star frequently posts videos of himself engaging in high-adrenaline activities like water sports and skydiving and has previously expressed his interest in space.
It remains to be seen whether Hamilton will actually take the plunge and join a SpaceX mission, but it’s clear that he’s not one to shy away from a challenge. If he does make the journey, it will undoubtedly be his most daring adventure yet.
