I was bullied at school for being black, reveals Lewis

LEWIS HAMILTON has revealed that he felt an outsider at school, where he says he was bullied for being black. Formula One world champion Hamilton (below), who attended John Henry Newman Catholic School in Stevenage, bared his soul before tomorrow’s Spanish Grand Prix. ‘I know what it feels like to be an outsider,’ he said. ‘As a kid I was always last pick for the team in the playground. I was one of only three black kids in my school. I know the sadness that comes with feeling like you don’t fit in or not being accepted for who you are. And I know what it’s like to be bullied for it, too. ‘At school, I was small, alone and an easy target for the bigger kids. I’d stand up for myself but I was usually outnumbered and didn’t know how to defend myself.’ Writing on his Instagram account, in a post accompanied by a picture of himself as a boy wearing his karate blue belt, he added: ‘But deep down I’ve always had self-belief. I knew if I wanted things to change I’d have to be fearless. If my teachers weren’t going to help then I’d have to learn how to defend myself. ‘So I asked dad if I could go to karate. Karate taught me discipline, respect and humility, and gave me the confidence to stand up to those bullies and to stand up for others who are being bullied.’

Spanish Grand Prix LIVE on Sky Sports. Qualifying at 2pm today and race at 2.10pm tomorrow.