Lewis Hamilton’s Quirky Encounter at Universal Studios Osaka Ahead of Japanese Grand Prix

As Formula One reached Japan for this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka, drivers have been indulging in the country’s culture. Hamilton, being a Nintendo fan, decided to stroll into a gaming store wearing a Toad Mario Hat, perhaps with the intention of getting his hands on some Nintendo merchandise. From the image shared on the social media platform X, the British driver appeared to be deeply immersed in the world of Nintendo. This unique choice of headwear made him stand out, though not too different from other fans in the store.

Notably, this wasn’t the first time Hamilton embraced his inner gamer. Last year in Canada, he ventured into a Nintendo store in Montreal with the hope of purchasing Mario Kart, but luck wasn’t on his side. Instead, he ended up acquiring an old game featuring his childhood hero Ayrton Senna on the Sega Genesis, known as Mega Drive.

Even with the comical Toad Mario Hat, it wasn’t challenging for fans to identify him. The unmistakable ’44’ branding on his white t-shirt served as an unmistakable giveaway. However, Hamilton managed to keep a low profile during his visit to Japan. On Tuesday, he was spotted enjoying a bowl of ramen at the Kikanbo restaurant.

Hamilton arrived in Japan fresh from his recent podium finish at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore, where he secured a third-place finish behind Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris. The dramatic last-lap crash involving George Russell handed Hamilton an easy P3, as he had been closely pursuing P4 before the incident.

As he prepares for the Japanese GP, Hamilton has hinted at implementing a different strategy—one he believes could have secured victory in Singapore had the team chosen to pursue it. With the upcoming race at Suzuka, there are high expectations that he might employ this tactical approach to enhance his chances of success.