Being a Formula One driver requires an immense amount of bravery. In a sport that’s all about fine margins and split-second decisions, there’s also very little that separates life and fatality. Yes, safety measures have increased significantly, but these 20 drivers put their lives on the line every time they put their seat belts on and go racing. Some people are daunted by these risks, while some people chase them. Lewis Hamilton falls in the latter category.

The seven-time world champion not only drives cars at upwards of 200 miles an hour week-in, week-out during a season, but he also dives out of planes every chance he gets. As a concerned father, Anthony Hamilton has had some questions relating to Lewis’ genes over the years.

Lewis Hamilton has often left his father questioning his identity

A little less than a year ago, Lewis Hamilton appeared on a talk show with famous social media personality and author Jay Shetty. During the conversation, they talked about everything – from the mentality of success to diversity in Formula One. However, fans couldn’t get over one moment when Lewis Hamilton revealed that his father sometimes couldn’t believe the Mercedes driver was his son.

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While talking about progressing, Lewis mentioned, “A lot of our fear stop us from driving forwards, from progressing. That’s why I do the craziest things, I jump out of planes.” Jay Shetty interrupted Hamilton and asked, “Yeah, you’ve done what? 80 jumps or something like that?” The seven-time world champion confirmed it and revealed that he loves to challenge himself and do things that allow him to overcome fear. “It’s the best feeling when you overcome it, and then you actually realize that it’s a bunch of nonsense in your head.”

This “crazy” side of the Mercedes driver even surprised his own dad. Hamilton revealed, “As a kid, my dad was like, ‘Is he really my son?’ Because I wouldn’t do any of these things!” Despite Anthony Hamilton’s claims, Hamilton Jr. has successfully taken his father along for a skydive, a testament to their trusting relationship. While the two have an amazing relationship now, they haven’t always seen eye to eye. Just a season after becoming world champion for the first time, the then-McLaren driver made a shocking announcement about his father.

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The Hamiltons’ bumpy ride

Anthony Hamilton has been an instrumental part of Lewis Hamilton’s success. He took him karting at a young age, worked as his mechanic, held up four jobs to support Lewis’ racing career, and even acted as his manager during the early part of his F1 career. However, his hard work to put his son on the grid came with its own downsides, the Mercedes driver explained.

“The thing with my dad was he was my manager all the way. We got to Formula 1, and he worked so hard,” Hamilton explained. “But I think it was difficult for him to then show me love. Sometimes you just want a hug from your dad or, when you’re facing these things, you want to be able to be embraced. But I think when I was 22 or 23, it got really intense when I got to F1.” As a result, Lewis Hamilton decided that it was best for their relationship that his father not be his manager anymore.

After this very public separation, the father-son duo didn’t stop working on their personal relationship. Despite a period when they weren’t talking as much, they enjoy a beautiful relationship now. “We both have worked so hard to come back together, and we have one of the greatest relationships [now]. He’s the first person I want to call when I finish a race. Because I know he knows what it’s like, he was there from day one.”

What an interesting dynamic the father-son duo has! Would Lewis Hamilton be anywhere near as successful if not for Anthony Hamilton’s efforts? Let us know below.

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