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Inspired by Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King, Lewis Hamilton Once Gave Invaluable Insights Into His “Winning” Mindset

Published 01/22/2023, 8:30 AM EST

Growing up in a working-class family in Stevenage, England, Hamilton’s love for racing began at a young age, and now, Lewis Hamilton is a name that has become synonymous with Formula 1. As the first and only black Formula 1 champion, he has made history and broken barriers in the sport. But his journey to the top was not an easy one.

As a black driver in a predominantly white sport, the Mercedes man faced discrimination and racism throughout his career. But he refused to let it hold him back and instead used it as motivation to prove his doubters wrong, making it a key ingredient in his success. The driver considers himself different than others given his beliefs and idols. But he believes that while this uniqueness is essential, it’s not something that drives his hunger for winning.

When asked about how his background has helped him conquer in a 2019 interview with Nargis Magazine, Lewis Hamilton said, “Frankly, this is not exactly what comes to mind when I sit behind the wheel. When I race, I think only about winning. It seems to me that uniqueness is very important, but not in the sense of exclusivity, because each is unique in its own way.”

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“It is important to understand and accept our individuality, our difference from others, and what makes us special. Well, my background allowed me to see things from a slightly different angle. I had to work more on myself, try harder than others, otherwise I would have failed.”

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Hamilton’s story is one of perseverance, determination, and the power of individuality. He has not only made history on the track but also off the track as a role model for young people of all backgrounds who dream of making it in the competitive world of Formula 1.

Lewis Hamilton talks about his mentor and idol

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In the same interview, Lewis also talked about his mentor and idol. And though Hamilton’s father was with him throughout his journey, mentoring him on various occasions, the Briton names Ron Dennis as his mentor.

Hamilton also mentioned Ayrton Senna as his idol. He said, “From the age of five I dreamed of ever becoming such a pilot like him. Many children have similar stories: someone watches football and dreams to be like Neymar or Cristiano Ronaldo. And I watched auto racing and wanted to be like Ayrton Senna!”

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WATCH THIS STORY: NASCAR Faced a Title Showdown a Full Decade Before Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen Showdown

Despite the obstacles, Hamilton never gave up. The hardships that he endured made him fight for his dream, and look at things differently, which eventually led him to success, now making him an idol for generations to come.

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Written by:

Manan Goel is a Formula 1 author at EssentiallySports. As a literature student at Delhi University, he had been a geek for fiction and a nerd for sports. He claims Sebastian Vettel was his first love after seeing him at the Indian Grand Prix, and he has been a fan of the sport and Red Bull ever since.

Edited by:

Varunkumaar Chelladurai

Inspired by Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King, Lewis Hamilton Once Gave Invaluable Insights Into His “Winning” Mindset

Lewis Hamilton talks about his mentor and idol

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