Lewis Hamilton entered the world of Formula 1 racing and did not look back. In a career spanning 16 years, and counting, the seven-time world champion has had many memorable moments. However, one that arguably sits somewhere on the top of the list is a moment from his debut season in 2007.

Talking about memorable moments from his career with Vanity Fair, Hamilton discussed the 2007 Canadian GP. 2007 was Hamilton’s first year in the sport and one of the most extraordinary ones by a rookie, ever. During that extraordinary year, the young boy from Stevenage felt the embrace of his usually reserved but proud father.

Elaborating on that, Hamilton said, “I remember standing on the podium, just the happier that I’d ever been. And I remember looking down and seeing my dad smile and that was the day that I knew that we had made it.”

“I hadn’t had a lot of embraces from my dad. He was a very tough father, and he found it generally quite difficult, I would say, to show affection. ‘Cause he’s had to be the strong one.”

“At the time probably was like any vulnerability is weakness. Yeah, damn, I needed that hug from my dad so bad,” the Mercedes man added.

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The embrace from his father was long overdue, as the two had fought through life to get their chance in the premier class. The humble beginnings leading up to his chance at F1 could very well have given him his character. However, the determination and hunger in Hamilton were always there from the start.

Lewis Hamilton: A focused and determined individual from the start

Starting from a young age, Hamilton was always determined and we’re not talking about what he showcased in his debut season. Rather, we are talking about what came to light years after Hamilton became a star of the world of F1.

There is a famous clip of a young 7-year-old Lewis Hamilton racing with his remote-controlled car. Commenting on the clip, he said, “You can see in my eyes, I’m just super focused. I think that’s just how I’ve always been.”

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The determination in the eyes of the young boy never faded, and that’s why he is one of the greatest of all time.