Lewis Hamilton has candidly revealed that he has been struggling with depression for most of his life. The 39-year-old, who will leave Mercedes to join Ferrari next year, endured a difficult upbringing and rarely shies away from speaking about difficult topics.
In an interview with The Times, Hamilton admitted that he struggled to cope with bullying and the pressures of trying to make it as a racing driver. He also revealed that he has battled with depression as an adult, having found it hard to open up to others.
“When I was in my twenties I had some really difficult phases,” he said. “I mean, I’ve struggled with mental health through my life, depression from a very early age when I was, like, 13.
“I think it was the pressure of the racing and struggling at school. The bullying. I had no one to talk to. I spoke to one woman, years ago, but that wasn’t really helpful. I would like to find someone today.”
Hamilton explained that he has gone on silent retreats in a bid to improve his mental health in particularly difficult moments. He added that he is ‘much more refined’ as he approaches his forties than he was as a young man trying to forge a career in racing.
“You’re learning about things that have been passed down to you from your parents, noticing those patterns, how you react to things, how you can change those,” he said.
“So what might have angered me in the past doesn’t anger me today. I am so much more refined.”
Hamilton believes the improvements he has made in recent years have helped him to become a better racing driver as he prepares to embark on a new challenge with Ferrari next season.
“Honestly, right now I feel I’m healthier than I’ve ever been,” he added. “I’m in such a good place, physically and mentally. My reaction times are still quicker than the young guys. I think I’m a better driver than I was at 22.
“I was just young, energetic and ruthless, but no finesse, no balance. I didn’t know how to be a team player, how to be a leader. Being a good racing driver, it’s not just about being fast, it’s about being the most rounded.
“When I study the legends, they’re spread between small percentages, so it’s the whole package. What do they speak for, stand for? That’s what I look at. I look to Ayrton Senna and Nelson Mandela and those are the two people gelled together that I want to be.”
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