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Has suppressed negative experiences for a long time: Lewis Hamilton
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IMAGO/DPPI / IMAGO/PanoramaC
According to his own statement, Formula 1 star Lewis Hamilton became the target of racist bullying attacks during his childhood.
"For me, school was the most traumatizing and difficult time of my life," said the seven-time world champion in an episode of the podcast "On Purpose".
As a six-year-old, he was one of only three non-white children at his school, and "bigger, stronger, bullying kids" would often push him around.
Children threw bananas at him and racially abused him, Hamilton said.
At the time, he suppressed many of his negative experiences and didn't tell his parents about them because he "didn't want my dad to think I wasn't strong."
Hamilton was also humiliated by teachers.
Pioneer for diversity
Hamilton is still the only black driver in Formula 1.
A foundation he set up takes care of members of minorities, and together with his Mercedes racing team he is also committed to more diversity in racing.
Regarding a future life after the end of his career, the 44-year-old said it would be "really, really difficult" to find something that came close to the emotions on the race track.
In order not to fall into a “deep hole”, he is looking for things that could replace racing and fulfill it.
atb/AFP
