Source:REUTERS/GIUSEPPE CACACE
[Saba Sports News] During a mid-week event in
Keramat, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton visited
a school as arranged by the team’s sponsors. This visit sparked a F1 frenzy in
Malaysia, where Hamilton received championship treatment and was warmly
recognized by fans at the airport. Local car enthusiasts with a keen eye for
business saw an opportunity and began selling the chair that Hamilton had sat
on during the event online. The starting price for the chair was set at $614. The
seller claimed that the chair carries the scent of Hamilton’s presence, and it
was also certified as authentic and official. The online platform used for
selling these benches is Shopee, a popular online trading platform in Southeast
Asia owned by Garena Company, founded by Leo Chen, who also established
Vipshop. Some fans jokingly remarked that this might be Hamilton’s last year
with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team, and sponsors and fans are capitalizing
on the opportunity to maximize the value associated with Hamilton. However,
Petronas, the Malaysian national oil company, clarified that their involvement
with the Mercedes team and F1 is a long-term commitment. They have signed a new
contract that extends until the end of the 2025 season, and their sponsorship
will not be terminated due to Hamilton’s departure.