Lewis’ tattoos: Jesus, Mary and Michelangelo
TWO-TIME Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton has opened up about the meaning behind his tattoos. The Mercedes racer, who leads the drivers’ championship after finishing first and second in the two races of the 2015 season so far, features on the front cover of the May edition of Men’s
Health magazine. In an interview in the latest issue, released today, the 30-year-old discusses the significance of his body art. ‘I love my ink,’ Hamilton explains. ‘They all have a meaning. I’m very strong in my faith, so I wanted to have some religious images. I’ve got Pieta, a Michelangelo sculpture of Mary holding Jesus after he came off the cross, on my shoulder. ‘A sacred heart on my arm. Musical notes, because I love music. The compass on my chest is there because church is my compass. Family is everything for me, so I have “family” written on the top, across my shoulders. “Faith”, obviously. ‘And I have “powerful beyond measure” written on my chest — it’s a short bit I took out of a quote from the writer Marianne Williamson. On my back I have the cross and angel wings: rise above it, no matter what life throws at you.’ Hamilton adds that the physical demands of racing are often underestimated by fans, saying: ‘I train to quite an intense level because Formula One is so physical — the g-forces, the demands on your body. Your heart rate is 150, 160 through the whole race.’ Full interview appears in the May issue of Men’s Health, on sale today. Also available in digital edition on Apple Newsstand.