Lewis Hamilton has issued a statement to fans, acknowledging he had mental health issues during his childhood and early career.
The seven-time world champion leads F1 in race wins, pole positions and podiums, and is tied with Michael Schumacher for the most world titles.
Next season, Hamilton will follow in Schumacher’s footsteps, joining the team with which Schumacher won five of his titles.
The Briton is hoping to win an unprecedented eighth championship with Ferrari and has signed a contract that will see him continue racing into his 40s.
Hamilton’s battle with depression
While the Mercedes driver has struggled to find form in each of the last three seasons, 2024 saw him end a race win drought that had lasted since 2021, with victories at the British and Belgian Grands Prix.
The two victories were Hamilton’s 104th and 105th in F1, extending his record as the most decorated driver in the sport. Hamilton now speaks about the struggles he faced early in his career.
The Briton joined F1 in 2007 at the age of 22, having won the GP2 championship the season before. “I had some really difficult times in my 20s,” Hamilton told The Times in an interview.
“I mean, I’ve struggled with mental health issues all my life,” the seven-time champion said when asked to elaborate on this point. “Since I was a very young child, around 13 years old.
I think it was the pressure of racing and the hardships of school. The bullying. I had no one to talk to. “I spoke to one woman, years ago, but that wasn’t really helpful. I would like to find someone today.
“I discover what I inherited from my parents and realize those patterns and how I react to things and how I can change it, so that things that may have upset me in the past don’t upset me today. I am much more delighted.”