Short film reveals how Lewis Hamilton's journey to F1 greatness was ...

19 Oct 2024

The Drum

Short film reveals how Lewis Hamiltons journey to F1 greatness was

The work of Modern Arts, ‘Push, Push’ celebrates the unwavering determination of the seven-time F1 champion, who relied on the messging platform to stay connected with his support system throughout his journey to greatness.

WhatsApp, the world’s predominant messaging service, has teamed up with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team to release a compelling new short film, ‘Push, Push,’ celebrating Lewis Hamilton’s rise to seven-time Formula 1 champion.

Directed by J.M. Harper, the 11-minute film captures the essence of British racing driver’s journey, weaving together candid moments with teens who seek his wisdom in overcoming life’s challenges.

Set in a garage, the film offers a personal look into Hamilton’s career highs and lows, from his school struggles to triumphs on the racetrack. Throughout the conversation, he emphasizes the importance of support—particularly the vital role his family, friends, and teammates have played in helping him persevere. As he tells the teens, “No matter where we’re trying to go, we’re going to get there if we go together.”

A key element of Push, Push is how Hamilton uses WhatsApp to stay connected with his support system. He shares how encouraging messages, often delivered through group chats and voice messages, helped him push through challenging times, including his triumphant return to the podium at Silverstone earlier this year. One friend’s unwavering pre-race message — “Good luck, brother” — is highlighted as a small yet powerful source of comfort during tough moments.

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The short film is part of WhatsApp’s ongoing partnership with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team, a collaboration that underscores the team's reliance on the platform to stay connected and coordinated throughout the F1 season. The partnership also includes exclusive content available through the Mercedes-AMG WhatsApp Channel, which has attracted over 6.5m followers.

The film premiered last night at Stubb’s BBQ in Austin, Texas, ahead of the US Grand Prix. Following the screening, Hamilton joined F1 presenter Naomi Schiff in discussing the impact of connection in both sport and life.

Push, Push follows WhatsApp’s tradition of highlighting inspiring stories through its original content. Earlier this year, the brand released ‘Happiness and Love: A True Story on WhatsApp,’ which told the story of Layla Faraj, a 20-year-old Syrian refugee who turned to the platform during a time of adversity.

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