Hamilton reveals childhood trauma and racism: “They threw bananas at me”

Seven times Formula 1 world champion, Lewis Hamilton revealed traumas he suffered during his childhood at school, with racist insults and humiliation. According to the Mercedes driver, this period was “the most traumatic” of his life, in which he received several curses and bananas were thrown in his direction.

In an interview with the “On Purpose” podcast, broadcast on Monday, the 38-year-old pilot gave details of his childhood. Born in Stevenage, a small town located in the county of Hertfordshire, Hamilton told details of his early childhood years.

“I was already bullied at the age of six. At that particular school, I was one of three black children and I was often bullied by older, stronger boys”, reveals the pilot. “Constant blows, throwing things at me, like bananas, people calling you half-breed, and I didn’t know where I belonged. That was hard for me.”

Hamilton is currently the only black driver in Formula 1

“I didn’t want to go home and explain to my parents that I had been bullied or beaten up at school. I didn’t want my father to think I wasn’t strong”, says the pilot. Hamilton is currently the only black driver in Formula 1. In 2021, he founded the Mission 44 institution, to promote social inclusion in motorsport, and has already taken a stand against racism in sport in recent years.

Hamilton is in his 17th season in Formula 1, Hamilton has one more year on his contract with Mercedes, but he can renew his contract. In the same interview, the pilot revealed that he finds it difficult to stop racing.

“I’ve been doing this for 30 years. When you stop, what’s going to happen to match that? There’s nothing like being on a track, being in a race, being at the top of the sport and being at the front of the grid or going through that emotion I feel,” he says. “When I stop, there will be a big hole (in my life), so I’m trying to focus and find things that can replace that and be just as fulfilling.”