Lewis Hamilton forced to dispel doubts about continuing in Formula 1

Lewis Hamilton

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Hamilton forced to dispel doubts about continuing in F1

Six-time champion ultimately appreciates he loves what he does

Ian Parkes

Sunday 24 May 2020 12:52

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Lewis Hamilton has conceded to encountering doubts at times during this lockdown period over whether he should continue in Formula 1 - but they are soon dismissed.

Like anybody around the world that has been given ample time to consider their future, Hamilton is not alone with such thoughts, despite the success he has enjoyed over the years in F1.

Although the six-time champion is generally always trying to find the positives in all aspects of his life, he concedes he is also prone to negative moments and is forced to battle through those.

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"Mentally it's really about ultimately feeling good about yourself," said Hamilton in Mercedes' latest 'Deep Dive' video. "It's about finding a way to make sure you love yourself. You have to really be able to love yourself and be comfortable on your own.

"I've been really spending time trying to take time for me, making sure that I appreciate me, acknowledging things that you do well, acknowledging also when you fail and you don't do it so great. It's okay. And not being so hard on yourself, all these different things.

"I have days when I wake up and feel groggy, I don't feel motivated to work out. I feel, 'Jeez, where are we going? What's next? Should I continue racing?'

"I think all these different things, and then I'm like 'Damn it!', and the next hour, or whatever, it passes, and I'm like 'Damn! I love what I do! Why would I ever consider not continuing?"

Hamilton has revealed to trying meditation of late in a bid to find inner calm, although concedes he is "a fidget" and that sitting still for extended periods has proven difficult.

Ultimately, he would like to believe that when F1 racing finally starts this season, there will be an improved version of himself that takes to the track.

"I would hope so," asserted Hamilton. "If we are not improving and growing during these days then what are we doing? You're obviously just wasting your time sitting on your backside.

"Nothing's going to get handed to any of us. We've got to go out there and get whatever it is we want, and you've got to want it more than the person you're fighting against. You've just got to get off your arse and do it.

"I'm in pretty decent shape, but I can always be in better shape. I see things and I'm like, 'Damn, I've got a bit of fat here. Shoot, I've got to work harder, I've got to go for a run'. In actual reality, I don't really have much fat.

"But there are people out there that have these things going through their minds. You've just got to let go, find what it is you love and say I'm going to do it. I'm not going to let anything get in my way.

"It might take a long time. People forget I started racing when I was eight and I didn't get to Formula 1 until I was 22, so that was a long time for me to get there, but patience is also very, very important.

"I do hope to come back better."

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