Hamilton reveals childhood trauma and racism: ‘They threw bananas in my face’

Seven times world champion Formula 1And Lewis Hamilton It revealed the traumas he experienced during his childhood at school, from insults and racial humiliation. According to the pilot, this was the “most traumatic” period in his life, as he received many insults and bananas were thrown in his direction.

In an interview with the podcast On purpose with Jay ShettyAiring on Mondays and popular in the UK, the 38-year-old pilot gave details about his childhood. Born in Stevenage, a small town located in the county of Hertfordshire, Hamilton told details of his early childhood years.

The pilot reveals, “I was already bullied at the age of six. At that particular school, I was one of three black kids, and I was often bullied by the older, stronger boys.” “The constant beatings, things being thrown at me like bananas, people calling you half-breeds, and I didn’t know where I belonged. It was hard for me.”

“I didn’t want to go home and explain to my parents that I was bullied or beaten at school,” says the pilot. “I didn’t want my parents to think I wasn’t strong.” Hamilton is the only black driver in Formula 1. In 2021 he founded the Mission 44 Foundation, to promote the social inclusion of black people in motorsport, and he has already taken a stand against racism within the sport in recent years.

Hamilton is in his seventeenth season in Formula 1, and Hamilton has another year in his contract with Mercedes, but he can renew his contract. In the same interview, the pilot revealed that he finds it hard to stop racing.

“I’ve been doing this for 30 years. When you stop, what’s going to happen to match that? There’s no such thing as being on a track, or being in a race, or being on top of the sport and being at the front of the grid or going through these feelings that I have.” out,” he says. “When I stop there will be a big hole (in my life)So I try to focus and find things that can replace that and be completely satisfying.”

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