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When it comes to global popularity, double world champion Lewis Hamilton is head and shoulders above the rest of the Formula One field. Mark Thompson/Getty Images
The Mercedes driver is not shy of a selfie to post to his millions of fans on social media. Here Hamilton meets fans in Stuttgart, Germany after his 2014 championship triumph. Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images
Hamilton may be British but the 30-year-old racer is popular across the world. "He's in the top three drivers in all of F1's key markets -- including the UK, Brazil, China and India," explains marketing research expert Jon Stainer of Repucom. Drew Gibson/Getty Images
Hamilton takes an unusual route to meeting fans after winning the U.S. Grand Prix in 2014. "He sees his fans are the core of his power base," says Tom Roope, whose company The Rumpus Room helps to run Hamilton's digital media. MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images
New Yorker Christopher Thomas (second right) and his fiancee Julliana Sanchez (center) are original members of the Lewis Nation collective. The group formed in 2010 and use the hashtag #lewisnation to unite worldwide Hamilton fans on social media. Sarah Holt
Members of Lewis Nation regularly meet up to watch grands prix -- cocktails were required to celebrate Hamilton's title success with Mercedes in 2014. "Lewis is one of the few drivers who actually appeals to Americans," says Thomas. Shaka David @tweetingshak
Brazilian self-styled fan "Mel Hamilton" has met her idol on many occasions. "All my meetings with Lewis are fantastic and very special," she says. "He really loves all his fans."
Mel, who is 22 years old, has been so inspired by Hamilton that she now races go-karts wearing a replica of the Briton's 2008 helmet. "I identify with Lewis the driver, but my biggest inspiration is Ayrton Senna," she explains. The late three-time world champion is also Hamilton's idol!
