Lewis Hamilton was offered part in Top Gun Maverick by friend Tom Cruise

Offbeat news from the world of sport

We have more newsletters

Lewis Hamilton has revealed he was offered a part in the hit movie Top Gun: Maverick by global megastar Tom Cruise.

The pair have been friends for some time, with Hamilton being invited to the set of Edge of Tomorrow by the Hollywood icon while Cruise attended this year’s British Grand Prix at Silverstone. Having had a glimpse of Cruise in action on set, he was immediately interested in appearing in the Top Gun sequel.

“Basically I'm a friend of Tom,” the Mercedes driver said to Vanity Fair. “One of the nicest people you'll ever meet. He invited me to his set years ago when he was doing Edge of Tomorrow, and then we just built a friendship over time.

READ MORE: Lewis Hamilton embarks on 'life-changing' adventure in Africa during F1 summer break

“When I heard the second one [Top Gun] was coming out, I was like, 'Oh, my God, I have to ask him'. I said 'I don't care what role it is. I'll even sweep something, be a cleaner in the back’.”

Cruise went better than that, offering Hamilton a part as a fighter pilot no less. However, the 37-year-old soon realised that due to his intense F1 schedule and the preparation that goes into it, he would have to reluctantly turn the part down.

“I’m a perfectionist,” he added. “There just wasn't time.”

Do you think Lewis Hamilton will win an eighth F1 title? Have your say in the comments section below.

Hamilton does have another movie project to look forward to, as he will be a producer on an F1 film starring another Hollywood A-lister, Brad Pitt. The project will be led by Joseph Kosinski, who directed Top Gun: Maverick.

Despite his interests away from F1, which include fashion and music, Hamilton hinted in the interview he will not be walking away from the sport anytime soon.

“I’ll be lying if I said that I hadn't thought about extending [his contract which currently runs until the end of 2023],” he said. “I'm still on the mission, I'm still loving driving, I’m still being challenged by it. So I don't really feel like I have to give it up anytime soon.”

READ NEXT:

  • Read the latest F1 news from the Daily Star here
  • Lewis Hamilton finally admits he was 'cheated' against Max Verstappen and was left in disbelief
  • Alpine boss blasts Fernando Alonso and Oscar Piastri as contract dispute rumbles on
  • F1 boss defends Fernando Alonso decision with Michael Schumacher and cricket comparison
  • 10 Formula 1 drivers you completely forgot about – and what they are up to now
  • Lewis Hamilton
  • F1
  • Tom Cruise

Source: Read Full Article