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Lewis Hamilton: "I'm a perfectionist"
Photo: Dan Istitene/Getty Images
As a Formula 1 driver, Lewis Hamilton races around the world's racetracks - but in his private life the Briton is apparently not particularly enthusiastic about driving.
"I think I just find it stressful," the 37-year-old told Vanity Fair.
For an interview with the magazine, Hamilton was traveling with his interlocutor in southern France in an electric Smart.
According to the report, Hamilton therefore rarely drives: "I try not to do anything that doesn't enrich my life." Looking at the busy traffic in and around Nice, he said: "We're on these roads, anything can happen there. « On the race track, on the other hand, he doesn't feel afraid, says the motorsport enthusiast.
"I'm still on the mission"
According to the article, however, after last season Hamilton thought about ending his Formula 1 career – but for a different reason: a controversial decision by the race management at the season finale cost the British their eighth world championship title, which instead went to Dutchman Max Verstappen went.
Hamilton said it was "one of the most difficult moments" he's experienced in a long time.
»Of course I thought about whether I wanted to continue.«
Things are different now: "I'd be lying if I said I didn't think about an extension," said Hamilton, who still has a contract with Mercedes for the current season.
“I'm still on the mission, I still love driving, it's still a challenge for me.
So I don't feel like I have to give up any time soon.«
No "Top Gun" action due to lack of time
However, his involvement in Formula 1 prevented another heart project: Hamilton had to cancel a role in the new film "Top Gun: Maverick" with Hollywood star Tom Cruise.
The American actor invited him years ago to the shooting of "Edge of Tomorrow".
Since then a friendship has developed.
As a child, Hamilton was a fan of the first Top Gun film and wanted to be a fighter pilot.
"When I heard the second movie was coming out, I was like, 'Oh my god, I have to ask him,'" he said.
"I said, 'I don't care what role it is.
I'll even sweep, be a back-room cleaner.'"
Cruise also agreed that Hamilton should even play a pilot according to his own account.
However, the racing driver had to withdraw because he was under too much pressure in Formula 1 at the time.
"I'm a perfectionist," Hamilton said.
"There just wasn't time."
bbr/dpa
