A PLAYBOY? LEW MUST BE JOKING
Hamilton hit back at critics of his lifestyle insisting he’s fully focused on being the best
LEWIS HAMILTON has denied living a “playboy” lifestyle – and says he deserves more credit for being on the brink of Formula One supremacy.
The Briton will become the sport’s most successful driver with victory in Portugal tomorrow, having equalled Michael Schumacher’s record 91 wins in Germany a fortnight ago.
But despite his exploits on the track, Hamilton’s jet- setting antics and lifestyle has often caused a stir with his critics.
However the 35-year-old, who count s Wi l l Smith, Justin Bieber, Neymar, Kanye West and Naomi Campbell a m o ng his celebrity friends, says he’s a family man at heart.
“I know I am given this playboy kind of image which is not me,” said Hamilton. “If you were to go home to see me with my family you would know my core values.
“Over the years, people have assumed many things in terms of how my lifestyle is because I go to different events and I have a life and interests out of the sport.
“But people take for granted the time I allow myself to be focused on being the best I can be, physically in the right shape and also mentally, too.
“I never do anything that will get in the way or hinder that. Only I know how far or how thinly I can stretch myself, and I have managed to strike a decent balance.”
Hamilton has a range of outside interests including a clothing collection with fashion giant Tommy Hilfiger.
He has also flirted with a career in music – and his commitments have meant a hectic schedule.
But the coronavirus crisis has put his outside interests on hold – and to his benefit, with Hamilton spending much of this year at an F1 track or his Monaco apartment.
He added: “The other years have been massively rushed shed with a lot going on, running ning from one place to another, er, flying from London to o New York, New York to the 2018 Singapore Grand Prix, and doing the best qualifying lap I’ve ever done. I have e continuously proved people’s ple’s theories wrong.
“However, this year has as been different. I have done e hardly any travelling – which has been quite pleasant. I have been at home longer than I have ever been in my entire life e and it gives you time to train when you want.”