Sept 30 (Askume) – Seven-times Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton struggled with depression for years in childhood because of the pressures of a career in racing, the 39-year-old told The Times in an interview.
Hamilton, who has been racing since the age of six, said he had struggled with depression throughout his adult life and found it difficult to speak publicly about his journey.
“I think it was the pressure of racing and the struggles of school. The bullying. I had no one to talk to,” Hamilton said in an interview published on Saturday.
“I’ve struggled with mental health my whole life, I’ve suffered from depression since I was 13… When I was 20, I went through some really tough times.”
Hamilton made his Formula One debut in 2007 at the age of 21 and became the series’ first Black driver. He won the championship the following year and equalled Michael Schumacher’s record of seven championships in 2020.
The Englishman says he feels more mature today than he did at the start of his career.
“You’re learning things from your parents and you’re noticing these patterns of how you react to things and how to change them,” he said.
“So the things that made me angry in the past don’t make me angry today. I’m much more sophisticated now.”
Hamilton said she has tried to improve her mental health through silent meditation and talking to a therapist a few years ago that didn’t help, but she hopes to find a therapist in the future.
The Mercedes driver, who will join Ferrari next year , is sixth in the championship and his next race is scheduled for Austin next month.
