Lewis Hamilton is one of the most successful drivers in the history of Formula 1 as the Brit holds the record for most World driver’s championship titles (7) and has the most wins (103), pole positions (103), and podium finishes (191).
The best to ever do it. Seven @F1 World Titles. And counting. @LewisHamilton 🐐 pic.twitter.com/395hXFzzgs
— PUMA.eth (@PUMA) November 15, 2020
However, the greatest driver has had a childhood to forget as he shared his experience at school and the 37 years old was shed teary eyes as he recalled his past memories.
“For me, the school was probably the most traumatizing and most difficult part of my life. I already was being bullied at the age of 6,” said Hamilton in an interview for the On Purpose podcast.
“I think at the time, (at) that particular school, I was probably one of three kids of color and just bigger, stronger, bullying kids were throwing me around a lot of the time.”
Lewis Hamilton: I was racially abused at schoolhttps://t.co/qzIPJlXFfx pic.twitter.com/DXfLGWKitY
— Nation Africa (@NationAfrica) January 24, 2023
This was such a horrible experience for the World Champion and constant racism pinned him like a throne during childhood. The Brit also revealed more of the struggles he faced and said,
“There were constant jabs (jibes), the things that are thrown at you, like bananas, people that would use the N-word just so relaxed. People calling you half-caste and just really not knowing where you fit in.”
When studying history, Hamilton was shelf shocked after finding the topics were all about people of color and the legend has to adapt his thought after surviving a very long period of trauma.
Words to remember from @LewisHamilton: Failure is 💯necessary for greatness. 🏆 pic.twitter.com/Mk1Y52qamT
— MasterClass (@MasterClass) January 18, 2023
“That for me was difficult, and then when you go into history class and everything you learn in history there are no people of color in the history, they were teaching us. So, I was thinking, ‘Where are the people who look like me?’”- Hamilton further added.
Racism is widely considered an offensive crime these days but, in the past, it was not the same as legendary figures like Lewis Hamilton had to deal with the emotions. May this nightmare end soon in the near future.
