Lewis Hamilton interviewed by Sir David Frost on Al Jazeera English. Photo: Supplied
Lewis Hamilton talks family, racing nerves and dealing with his celebrity status in an exclusive interview with Sir David Frost to be broadcast on Al Jazeera English today.
The Formula 1 racing driver gives Sir David extraordinary insights into his home life, growing up, and the break-up of his parents’ marriage.
He discusses his love of speed, his entry into racing and F1, becoming world champion and the impact that has had on his life.
On his early life
Lewis talks to Sir David frankly about his early life and the split of his parents’ marriage. “Growing up, it was not that easy to, and still today, actually split yourself between two families.
It’s never been that easy.” Lewis talks about how special his step mother Linda is – but that his real mother Carmen is and “will always be that special woman in my life.”
On his dad
Of his dad Anthony, who has encouraged him all his life to pursue his racing driver dream, he has nothing but praise.
“I wouldn’t be here without my dad,” he says. “He’s been the driving force in my whole career.” He says his dad even encouraged him to “never give up” when he went in the boxing ring and fought a boy twice his size!
On getting nervous
Lewis admits to even having nerves when he’s racing today. “This whole trying to control your nerves is such a challenge, even today I still have nerves. If I don’t have those nerves, it means I’m not prepared.”
Looking back at the extraordinary drive in Brazil, where only a daredevil overtake on the last lap earned him the extra point he needed to become world champion, Lewis is modest, telling Sir David: “I was just very, very lucky. I overtook him with 17 seconds to go, so I was very, very lucky. Very fortunate.”
On the dangers of F1
Lewis is very honest on the dangers of F1: danger is part of what is the sport is all about. “It definitely is dangerous and I’m glad that it still has that danger factor to it, because that’s what makes it so exciting. That’s what separates us from you know any other sport.”
On fatherhood
Lewis even reveals a special dream: to be a dad.
Sir David Frost: “And obviously there are other excitements in store, like children. You’d like to have children presumably?”
Lewis: “Yeah, definitely. I love kids. I love kids.”
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