The road to success for Formula One champion, Lewis Hamilton, did not come without its challenges, and despite his achievements the racer continued to face his own internal battles.
The decorated British driver faced depression beginning early in his teenage years, and well into adulthood.
“From a very early age, when I was, like, 13. I think it was the pressure of the racing and struggling at school. The bullying. I had no one to talk to,” he said. “When I was in my twenties, I had some really difficult phases.”
Hamilton is the first and only black man to race in F1 and is dubbed one of the most successful drivers in history, with over 100 grand prix victories and seven championships.
Growing up in Stevenage, England, Hamilton said he had “no comprehension of money,” which gave him a unique outlook.
“I am grateful I had that experience. I remember not having any money. I remember the struggle of my parents. I feel that’s an advantage,” he said.
Throughout his trials, tribulations and life experience, Hamilton now feels he has a better understanding of his emotions.
He said he has tried therapy in the past, but feels the experience at the time “wasn’t really helpful.” However, he is open to revisiting the process today.
In the meantime, he has embarked on his own journey into self-improvement.
“You’re learning about things that have been passed down to you from your parents, noticing those patterns, how you react to things, how you can change those,“ he said. ”So what might have angered me in the past doesn’t anger me today. I am so much more refined.”
In an effort to find healing, Hamilton participated in silent retreats and read books regarding mental health, including “The 5 Love Languages” by Gary Chapman. He also took a liking to meditation and turned to exercise, such as running, as a way to ease his thinking.
“I would struggle initially to calm my mind. But it’s a really great way of getting in touch with myself, my inner feelings, understanding what I want to do.”
“It’s been a rollercoaster of emotions from the moment I signed the contract—telling my boss, that was terrifying ... but it is so exciting because I remember as a kid watching Michael [Schumacher]. Every driver watches that car and you’re like, ‘What would it be like to sit in the red cockpit?’”
He signed a multi-year contract and will wrap up the 2024 season in December with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, before his first race with Ferrari in Melbourne, Australia, next year.
“It’s a place where I have grown up, so making the decision to leave was one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make. But the time is right for me to take this step and I’m excited to be taking on a new challenge.”
Hamilton’s passion for racing began at 8 years old when his father bought him a go-kart for Christmas. By 13 years old, he was offered a place on the McLaren driver development team and joined F1 nearly a decade later.
With his father acting as his manager, he described the feeling of having to “conform” to the world of F1 and the fear of any “misstep” taking away his opportunity.
“It wasn’t until I’d had some wins that I started to put my toe out of the box. Each time it was, like, you make one step and that rock’s safe, but that next one was wobbly or would fall away. You’d get criticism about how you were presenting yourself. But I kept punching and kept fighting,” he recalled.
“You’re nice and friendly outside the car ... but in the car my dad would say you have to be ruthless, aggressive, sharp. In the car there are no friends.”
