Lewis Hamilton adds second item to list of things he refuses to sign for fans

Lewis Hamilton appears to have added a second item for the list of things he refuses to sign after a video emerged on social media.

The seven-time Formula One world champion has a huge fanbase and regularly takes the time out to spend time with his supporters.

However, the Ferrari driver does have a strict code of conduct when it comes to signing autographs. Ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix, Hamilton was mobbed by fans and posed for pictures while being escorted away by security.

In a video which did the rounds, a fan approached Hamilton with a permanent marker and asked him to sign their Charizard Pokemon card.

In a polite manner, Hamilton explained that he was unable to do so, saying, "Oh I can’t do that, no I can’t, unfortunately I can’t do that.”

The 41-year-old walked off and the fan put his marker away and reacted by saying, "Damn!".

Though it has not been clarified as the reason, some people have speculated that Hamilton's refusal to sign the Charizard is because he has an exclusive trading and memorabilia contract with Topps.

There is, however, another item which Hamilton regularly refrains from signing. When at Mercedes, he was filmed signing items outside the team's paddock building at the the Spanish Grand Prix.

But in a move which caused a huge stir, Hamilton refused to sign a replica helmet. A fan on X who had an interaction with Hamilton claimed, "The people with him said he has a contract with his helmet manufacturer to only sign their helmets, which are sold and distributed by them as official products."

Another on Reddit said similar and that he was not able to sign his custom karting helmet but did get a picture.

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In 2023, during a lengthy interview with GQ, Hamilton explained just why he does not sign helmets presented to him.

"The only thing I refuse to sign would be a helmet," he admitted.

"I take a lot of pride in my helmets—that’s my jersey. I might have given two helmets away, to like my boss and a really dear friend who’s passed away now. Those are part of my heritage. "One day I want to put them all in a museum with all my cars and stuff so people can see the journey from where I started."

After a horrendous first season with Ferrari, Hamilton has shown promising signs in the opening two races of the 2026 campaign. He came fourth in the curtain-raising Australian Grand Prix and then picked up a podium finish in the Chinese Grand Prix.

Currently fourth in the overall drivers' championship rankings, Hamilton will look to build on his success in this season's race at the Suzuka Circuit.