
Lewis Hamilton opens up on childhood bullying trauma
F1 News
Lewis Hamilton opens up on childhood bullying trauma

Lewis Hamilton has opened up about bullying in his childhood and the racism he endured at school.
The seven-time world champion spoke to the On Purpose with Jay Shetty podcast, revealing that he was taught to keep his emotions in, even as teachers at school discriminated against him.
He also said he was bullied from just six years old, and that he didn't talk about it because he didn't want his father Anthony thinking he was weak.
Describing the events as "probably the most traumatising” thing he's endured in his life, Hamilton said: "I didn’t feel I could go home and talk to my parents. I didn’t want my dad to think I was not strong.
Wolff makes Mercedes admission: 'We misinterpreted the regulations'Read more
"I was already being bullied at the age of six. I think at the time of that particular school, I was probably one of three kids of colour, and just bigger and stronger bullying kids were throwing me around a lot of the time."
In a school of around 1,200, Hamilton says he was one of just six or seven Black children at the school and that three of them, including him, regularly landed in the headmaster's office.
"The headmaster just had it out for us, and particularly for me, I would say," Hamilton revealed.
"Teachers were telling me, ‘You’re never going to be nothing'. I remember being behind the shed, in tears, like, ‘I’m not going to be anything.’ And believing it for a split second."
The legendary F1 star was regularly the last kid picked on the playground or when choosing teams, even if he was better at the sport or game in question than others.
Hamilton said: "And then the constant jabs, things that are either thrown at you like bananas, or people that would use the n-word, just so relaxed. People calling you half-caste and you know, just really not knowing where you fit in.
"That, for me, was difficult. When you then go into like history class and everything you learn in history, there are no pictures of people of colour in the history that they were teaching us. So, I was thinking, 'Oh, well, where are the people that look like me?'"
Hamilton believes childhood hardship helped make him a champion
Despite the hardship he endured and his commendable passion for the ongoing fight against racism, the 38-year-old has managed to get to a place where he is thankful for what he endured, as it helped him become the supremely dominant champion that he is today.
"[I felt] the system was really up against me and I was kind of swimming against the tide. But I’m so grateful for that journey, because that’s what built me to the person that I am today."
Related news

'Tiny boxer shorts': Lewis Hamilton reveals most bizarre fan gifts

Hamilton reveals 'purpose' and lifts lid on psychology between rivals - Lewis Hamilton F1 Recap

Hamilton dubbed the 'GOAT' for a whole new reason

Hamilton urged to curb ‘Oscar speech’ antics
Most read

F1 LIVE - De Vries birthday sweetened after being CLEARED in court

FIA under fire AGAIN: Controversial F1 decision 'clearly wrong'

F1 FIA saga takes new turn as Mercedes return to the track - GPFans F1 Recap

Ricciardo responds to Red Bull Bathurst snub

Red Bull car launch 2023: Date, time and how to watch live
F1 Standings

Races
-
Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2023
-
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2023
-
Grand Prix of Australia 2023
-
Grand Prix of China 2023
-
Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2023
-
Miami Grand Prix 2023
-
Pirelli Gran Premio Del Made In Italy E Dell'emilia Romagna 2023
-
Grand Prix of Monaco 2023
-
Grand Prix of Spain 2023
-
Grand Prix of Canada 2023
-
Grand Prix of Austria 2023
-
Grand Prix of Great Britain 2023
-
Grand Prix of Hungary 2023
-
Grand Prix of Belgium 2023
-
Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2023
-
Grand Prix of Italy 2023
-
Grand Prix of Singapore 2023
-
Grand Prix of Japan 2023
-
Qatar Grand Prix 2023
-
Grand Prix of the United States 2023
-
Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2023
-
Grand Prix of Brazil 2023
-
Las Vegas Grand Prix 2023
-
Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2023
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media

7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860