News in sight for Lewis Hamilton on the eve of the 2024 Formula 1 World Championship. The 7-time world champion has concluded his agreement with the management company Copper, based in the United States, and returns to work with his long-time friend Marc Hynes .
The former BTCC and British F3 champion in 1999, Hynes became friends with Hamilton when the youngster drove for John Booth's Manor team in Formula Renault and F3 as he rose through the ranks.
Hynes worked as a driver coach for Manor and remained close to Hamilton even after his entry into F1.
In December 2015 he accepted a job that included focusing on building the Project Forty Four organization, created by Hamilton a year earlier, and taking care of its day-to-day activities while attending races.
Hynes left the Hamilton post in early 2021 and subsequently became a key part of Zhou Guanyu's management team, working with his long-time partner and former Manor/Marussia colleague Graeme Lowdon. The company they co-own, Equals Management, will continue to work with the Chinese driver.
From 2021-23 Hamilton worked with Copper and his Canadian-born boss Penny Thow, focusing primarily on expanding Project Forty Four and pursuing ventures outside of racing, including the charitable foundation Mission 44, a documentary project for Apple+ TV and the Apple-backed Brad Pitt F1 film, of which Hamilton is a producer.
Despite the end of his primary management contract, Hamilton will continue to work with Throw on some of his ongoing projects, such as the Pitt film.
Hynes, however, will focus on Hamilton's day-to-day racing work rather than marketing activities, and further appointments are expected to strengthen the driver's management team as it continues to take on projects outside of the sport.
A spokesperson for Hamilton told Motorsport.com: “The management agreement between Penni Thow and his company Copper with Lewis Hamilton has come to its natural end in December 2023, following the expiry of a fixed term.”
“Over the course of the partnership, Penni and his team have supported Lewis' entrepreneurial vision and together have launched several exciting initiatives.”
“Although the management agreement has ended, Copper will continue to work with Lewis on some of these joint projects to ensure their continued development and success.”
“Over the coming months Lewis will expand his company Project Forty Four, formed in 2014, and make exciting appointments and announcements as he continues to grow his business and investment interests.”
“Lewis is looking forward to the start of the new F1 season and will be working with Marc Hynes, his long-time friend and former colleague, who will provide his expertise to assist Lewis on track.”
“Marc will dedicate himself exclusively to racing activities and will support Lewis' commitment to continuing the fight for victory in F1.”
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