Lewis Hamilton

1. Family is the ultimate support system and power station.

My strength is in the family, wherever we all are, as long as we are together.

Family provides foundation. Lewis emphasizes that his family, including his dad, step-mum Linda, mum Carmen, and brother Nic, are his core strength and support system. They are his "power station," providing rest, reassurance, and keeping him grounded amidst the demanding world of Formula One.

Sacrifice and dedication. His family made immense sacrifices for his career, particularly his dad, who worked multiple jobs to fund his early karting. Linda and Nic endured cold weekends in a trailer at race tracks, demonstrating their unwavering commitment. This shared journey created an intense bond.

Brother Nic's inspiration. His younger brother Nic, who has cerebral palsy, is a constant source of inspiration. Nic's resilience, positive attitude, and refusal to give up despite physical challenges teach Lewis valuable life lessons and provide motivation during tough times.

2. Success is built on relentless hard work and sacrifice.

MY STORY IS NOT ABOUT LUCK OR A FAIRY TALE. It is about hard work, about my family’s sacrifices and determination, my dad’s huge support for me and many other people’s belief and kindness.

Dedication from the start. From remote control cars to karting, Lewis and his dad approached racing with an "everything or nothing" attitude. His dad's relentless work ethic and belief in honesty, loyalty, and trust were instilled in Lewis, driving his own determination.

Pushing limits constantly. His dad taught him to brake later than competitors in karting, pushing him beyond perceived limits and instilling a never-say-die attitude. This early training in pushing boundaries became a key to his success on track.

Unseen effort. The public often sees the glamour, but Lewis highlights the unseen hours of study, training, and preparation required. Before his rookie F1 season, he worked tirelessly for six months in the factory, absorbing technical details and maximizing his potential.

3. Overcoming adversity strengthens character and resolve.

Alongside the great experiences in my life I’ve also had some very bad, really challenging times – which you will read about later – but even those have made me stronger.

Early challenges. Lewis faced bullying at school, which he dealt with by learning karate to stand his ground. A significant challenge was being wrongly excluded from school at 16 due to mistaken identity, nearly derailing his education and racing career.

Racing setbacks. His career wasn't without its difficulties, including a tough year in Formula Three in 2004 and losing his McLaren contract temporarily. A major crash in F3 Macau felt like "the end," but he bounced back the following weekend with an unexpected win in Bahrain.

Rising above. These experiences, both personal and professional, taught him resilience. He learned to rise above negativity, not sulk, and use challenges as motivation to come back stronger, shaping him into a strong character in racing.

4. Mental strength and focus are crucial for peak performance.

Being able to control yourself, redeem yourself, is important.

Maintaining composure. Formula One is physically and mentally exhausting, requiring constant focus amidst travel, events, and pressure. Lewis learned to stay calm, manage his energy, and maintain motivation, even when feeling stretched.

Blocking negativity. He developed strategies to handle pressure and negativity, viewing problems as "energy-wasters." He learned to block out negative attention and focus on the positive, or rely on his family to absorb the negative energy.

Preparation is key. Mental preparation is as vital as physical training. Lewis emphasizes the importance of studying data, understanding the car, and having a clear mind before a race, allowing him to perform at his peak and avoid mistakes.

5. Loyalty and teamwork are fundamental to success.

A racing team is not just about the person who is driving the car. It is much, much bigger than that.

Team as family. Lewis views his racing team, like his family, as a collective effort. He believes in working for each other, sharing in both wins and losses, and emphasizes that the driver is just one part of a much larger machine.

Building relationships. He made a conscious effort to build relationships with everyone in the McLaren team, from engineers to mechanics, treating them with respect and appreciating their hard work. This fostered mutual commitment and trust.

Shared goals. He believes that for the team to give 110%, the driver must also show total commitment. His dedication in the factory and willingness to work extra hours motivated the team, reinforcing their shared goal of success.

6. Handling fame and pressure requires grounding and perspective.

I was a prisoner in my own home…and all because I was leading the Formula One Drivers’ Championship.

Sudden shift. After his early podiums in 2007, Lewis's life changed dramatically, with constant media attention and paparazzi intrusion. This sudden loss of privacy was a shock and made simple activities difficult.

Maintaining normalcy. Despite the fame, he tried to maintain a sense of normalcy by spending time with family and close friends. He found it challenging to balance his public life with his desire for private time.

Seeking quality of life. The intense scrutiny led him to consider moving abroad, not primarily for tax reasons, but to regain a sense of privacy and quality of life away from the constant attention, eventually deciding on Switzerland.

7. The journey from childhood dream to Formula One reality.

For me, that was living my dream.

Early aspirations. From driving a kiddie kart at age three to remote control car racing, Lewis was drawn to cars. A pivotal moment was telling Ron Dennis at age 10 that he wanted to race for McLaren, a bold declaration that set a long-term goal.

McLaren's support. Being signed to the McLaren Mercedes Young Driver Support Programme at 13 was a "golden opportunity" that provided crucial financial and technical backing. This support was vital for his progression through the junior ranks.

Achieving the goal. His first F1 test, his debut race in Australia, and leading his first Grand Prix lap were moments where the years of dreaming and hard work culminated in reality. Each step felt like living the dream he had held since childhood.

8. Learning from mistakes is essential for continuous improvement.

Every mistake and every good thing that has happened to me has counted.

Analyzing performance. Lewis constantly analyzes his performance, both successes and failures, to identify areas for improvement. He works closely with his engineers to review data and onboard footage to understand where time is lost or gained.

Taking responsibility. He takes responsibility for his mistakes, whether it's a pit stop error at Silverstone or a bad car setup at Spa. He doesn't blame equipment but focuses on his own actions and decisions to learn and move forward.

Growth mindset. He views challenges and setbacks as learning experiences. The difficult Nürburgring weekend, with a crash and a puncture, taught him "ten times as much" as a normal race, contributing to his development as a driver.

9. The intense politics of Formula One can be challenging.

I never thought I would ever say that I had found something I disliked about Formula One, but I found the controversy difficult to handle.

Unexpected turmoil. His rookie season was marred by the Ferrari controversy, which he found stressful and upsetting. Being accused of cheating, even indirectly through the team's situation, went against his core values of honesty and fairness.

Distraction and pressure. The ongoing investigation, hearings, and media speculation were a significant distraction. He had to navigate legal matters and provide statements while trying to focus on racing and challenging for the championship.

Navigating relationships. The rivalry with team-mate Fernando Alonso became strained, particularly after incidents like the Hungarian qualifying and the Spa race. Lewis tried to maintain a professional relationship, but found it difficult amidst the competitive and political environment.

10. The relentless drive to win, but always fairly.

I have to win at everything, but I would never cheat.

Competitive nature. Lewis possesses an intense competitive drive, wanting to win at everything, even computer games against his brother. This inherent desire fuels his ambition and performance on the track.

Integrity in racing. Despite his fierce competitiveness, he maintains a strong moral code against cheating. He believes in winning "fair and square" and was deeply affected by the allegations of dishonesty surrounding his team.

Pushing the limits. His drive to win means constantly pushing the boundaries of performance, whether it's braking later, finding extra tenths in qualifying, or fighting for position on track, but always within the rules.

11. The power of fan support provides immense energy.

Making people happy is what makes me happy.

Appreciating fans. Lewis deeply appreciates his fans, remembering how he felt as a young fan seeking autographs. He makes an effort to give them his time, understanding the impact it can have and finding joy in making others happy.

Boost on track. The support from crowds, particularly at Silverstone and in Brazil, provides him with a significant energy boost. Seeing British flags and fans cheering his name is a powerful motivator during races.

Global reach. He was surprised and touched by the level of support he found in countries like Canada, the US, and Japan, realizing the global reach of Formula One and the connection he had built with fans worldwide.

12. Maintaining perspective amidst chaos is vital.

Thanks to my family, I know it is important not to lose perspective – though at times in the past year, that has not been easy.

Grounded by roots. His connection to his family and his roots in Grenada helps him maintain perspective. Visiting Grenada reminds him of how blessed he is and reinforces his core values.

Learning from experiences. Both good and bad experiences throughout his life have taught him to rise above challenges and keep moving forward. He believes in getting on with things and not dwelling on disappointments.

Focusing on the job. Despite the intense pressure, controversies, and distractions of his rookie season, he consistently tried to simplify things and focus on his primary job: driving the car and performing to the best of his ability.

Last updated: September 19, 2025