Maranello, Italy — In a story that’s melting hearts across the globe, seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton has adopted a young boy named Oliver — and in doing so, has gifted him not just a home, but a future fueled by hope, love, and dreams beyond the track.
Oliver, a 10-year-old orphan from the UK, had spent most of his life in foster care. Diagnosed with mild cerebral palsy and passionate about racing, he often drew sketches of Ferraris and imagined one day meeting the heroes behind the wheel. What he never imagined was being adopted by one.
After learning about Oliver through a charity initiative focused on 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren with disabilities, Lewis Hamilton visited the boy in secret last winter. The two bonded instantly over model cars, stories about the Monaco Grand Prix, and their shared love for speed and courage. That one meeting led to months of quiet planning and — eventually — a new beginning.
Earlier this year, Hamilton finalized the adoption, surprising Oliver with the news at Ferrari’s Maranello headquarters. The moment was captured in a now-viral photograph: Lewis, kneeling, handing the boy a miniature Ferrari helmet as the words “Where Love Meets Legacy” shone on the wall behind them.
But this is more than a gesture — it’s a movement.
Hamilton has since launched the Oliver Foundation, dedicated to providing racing experiences, mentorship, and life-changing opportunities to underprivileged and disabled 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren around the world. Oliver himself is now the face of the foundation’s first campaign: “Every Child Deserves a Starting Line.”
“It’s not just about giving him a home,” Lewis told reporters. “It’s about giving him — and kids like him — the right to dream. To belong. To believe they matter.”
The F1 community has responded with overwhelming support. Ferrari gifted Oliver a custom-built electric kart. Charles Leclerc posted: “A future teammate in the making?” while Lando Norris wrote: “We’re all in your corner, little legend.”
Fans across the globe are calling the story one of the most powerful moments in recent motorsport history — not because of what happened on the track, but because of what happened in the heart.
As for Oliver? When asked how it feels to be the son of a legend, he smiled shyly and said,
“He’s not just a racer. He’s my hero. He didn’t save my life… he gave it its meaning.”
