Lewis Hamilton races a superbike for the first time

Lewis Hamilton is universally regarded as one of the best F1 racers of all time, as he closes in on a fourth world title this season. 

However the Mercedes driver showed his passion for supercharged machines on two wheels too by testing a superbike on a circuit in Italy.

Hamilton took to the official Pirelli test track in Vizzola Ticino, a village in Italy, to test the new MV Agusta F4 LH44.

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British F1 driver Lewis Hamilton has designed his own superbike, the MV Agusta F4 LH44

The custom bike will only have 44 units made, the same number as Hamilton has on his car

The custom bike will only have 44 units made, the same number as Hamilton has on his car

Hamilton drove the bike in Italy, the first time he had raced on a track on two wheels

Hamilton drove the bike in Italy, the first time he had raced on a track on two wheels

The Stevenage-born racer’s test, which took place on August 31 this year but the film on which was only released on Saturday, was the first time he had ever ridden a superbike on a track. 

However he has had a special hand in making this one, along with the MV Agusta design team, and it is named after him.

The name, LH44, comes from his initials and the number 44, which is the number Hamilton has on his Mercedes F1 car. Also, only 44 of these bikes will be made and sold. 

Hamilton donned leather in August to test the bike at the Pirelli proving ground in Italy

Hamilton donned leather in August to test the bike at the Pirelli proving ground in Italy

Hamilton burns some rubber as he proves as adept on two wheels as he has been on four

Hamilton burns some rubber as he proves as adept on two wheels as he has been on four

Speaking about his custom made bike, Hamilton said: ‘I love working with the guys at MV Agusta, their passion for engineering and attention to detail produces stunning, original looking bikes.

‘I am particularly excited to introduce my new bike, it looks quite stunning and I had the pleasure of riding on track a few weeks ago in Italy. There will be 44 bikes produced so I hope the lucky owners will love it as much as I do.’

The official website for bike’s manufacturers does not include a price for the bikes, nor state what the top speed of a bike designed by an F1 driver is.

Hamilton’s day job continues to go well, with the Brit on pole for the weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix as he continues to lead the drivers’ championship.

The three time F1 world champion is on his way to a fourth as he leads the drivers' standings

The three time F1 world champion is on his way to a fourth as he leads the drivers’ standings

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