Lewis Hamilton’s Dawn Apollo Studios Inks First-Look Deal With Skydance Sports (Exclusive)

Lewis Hamilton is looking to rev up his entertainment business.

The Formula 1 star’s Dawn Apollo Studios has inked a multiyear, first-look deal with Skydance Sports, the sports entertainment division within Paramount Skydance.

The deal will see Dawn Apollo develop and produce content spanning scripted, unscripted, and animation, with Hamilton serving as EP on all projects. Notably the deal also extends beyond just Skydance Sports to potentially include other parts of Paramount, including video games, consumer products and other areas.

Hamilton launched Dawn Apollo in 2022, with last year’s smash hit F1, starring Brad Pitt, as its first project. Hamilton was a producer on the Apple film, and also made an appearance in the project as himself. The star is represented by Josh Pyatt at Win Artists and also recently hired Fulwell Entertainment veteran Naomi Wright as senior VP of development to help build out its slate.

Hamilton, of course, is one of the top drivers in F1, where he races for Ferrari.

“I’ve always believed stories can help people see the world differently and spark important conversations. That’s what excites me about Dawn Apollo Studios. It gives us the chance to back projects that feel honest, bold and meaningful, and to create space for voices and perspectives that haven’t always had that opportunity,” Hamilton says. “Skydance Sports understands how powerful sport, culture and entertainment can be in moving audiences, and I’m excited to team up with Jesse and the team to bring those stories to life.”

Skydance Sports is led by Jesse Sisgold, and develops scripted and unscripted fare built around the sports business. While sports documentaries and docuseries aren’t as hot as they once were, there is still a regular cadence of projects in those genres. Athletes, meanwhile, increasingly want to be media personalities and producers too.

Last year, for example, Skydance sports inked a first-look deal with NFL MVP Josh Allen from the Buffalo Bills, whose series NFL Play Action debuted on Paramount+ last week.

“Lewis has redefined what’s possible in F1, and that same relentless ambition, eye for detail, and uniquely creative sense, make him a natural premium entertainment partner across medium for us,” said Jesse Sisgold, President of Paramount Sports Entertainment and Chair of Skydance Sports. “We’ve long admired his commitment to authentic storytelling and to opening doors for new voices, and we can’t wait to bring the stories he and the Dawn Apollo Studios team develop to audiences worldwide.”