Lewis Hamilton claimed that he has struggled with mental health concerns for the most of his life as a result of bullying at school and the pressures of racing.The seven-time Formula One world champion said that he has suffered from depression since he was a teenager. Hamilton, who has mixed-race parents, faced bigotry as a child growing up in Stevenage.
He told the Sunday Times: “When I was in my 20s, I went through some extremely difficult times. I mean, I’ve struggled with mental health issues my entire life. I’ve had depression.
From a very young age, when I was about 13. I believe it was the stress of racing and struggling at school. The bullying. I have no one to speak to.” After a period of soul-searching during the coronavirus epidemic in 2020, Hamilton started waking up at 5 a.m. to meditate before going for a run.
“I would struggle initially to calm my mind,” he told me. “But it’s a really great way of getting in touch with myself, my inner feelings, understanding what I can do.”
The 39-year-old is sixth in the current driver standings, following during the 2024 season, he won two Grands Prix. He will join Ferrari at the end of the season after 12 years with Mercedes.
When asked if he had ever seen a therapist, Hamilton responded, “I spoke with one woman years ago, but it wasn’t very helpful. I’d like to locate someone today.”
