Motor sport: Hamilton in inner debate about his future
LONDON (AFP) — Six-time world champion Lewis Hamilton admitted Sunday that he questioned his future in Formula One during the coronavirus lockdown which left him struggling for motivation.
“I have days when I wake up and feel groggy, I don’t feel motivated to work out. I feel, ‘Jeez, where are we going? What’s next? Should I continue racing?’,” the 35-year-old said in a video released by his Mercedes team.
“I think all these different things, and then I’m like ‘D*mn it!’, and the next hour, or whatever, it passes, and I’m like ‘D*mn! I love what I do! Why would I ever consider not continuing?’”
Hamilton is hoping to equal Michael Schumacher’s record of seven world titles this season.
However, he has been left kicking his heels as the spread of the coronavirus has seen 10 races either cancelled or postponed.
The season won’t start until July 5 in Austria at the earliest.
“Mentally it’s really about ultimately feeling good about yourself. It’s about finding a way to make sure you love yourself,” added Hamilton, speaking ahead of Mental Health Awareness Week.
“You have to really be able to love yourself and be comfortable on your own.”
He added: “If we are not improving and growing during these days then what are we doing? You’re obviously just wasting your time sitting on your backside.”
A few days ago, Hamilton said Niki Lauda is with him “in spirit at every race” as the sixtime world champion hailed the Austrian F1 legend on the first anniversary of his death.
Three-time champion Lauda passed away just before last year’s Monaco Grand Prix at the age of 70.
As well as his battles on and off the track, Lauda played a key role in persuading Hamilton to leave McLaren for Mercedes seven years ago.
“With Niki, bringing me to a team, convincing me to come to a team that at the time had a lot of success to come. I am grateful for the opportunity and forever love Niki,” said Hamilton.