Lewis Hamilton reveals he wants to see a therapist: Formula One ace admits he’s been battling depression ‘since 13’ – as racing hero opens up about racism he endured as a boy and the anguish of sacking his father as manager

Formula 1 CEO Lewis Hamilton has opened up about his mental health struggles as he revealed he has struggled with depression since the age of 13 and now wants to see a therapist.

The 39-year-old said he had been through “some really difficult phases” in his life and admitted he had “struggled” with his mental health since his teenage years but had finally found solace on and off the track.

His admissions come just after Hamilton ended an agonizing run of 945 days without victories after winning for a record ninth time at Silverstone when he took pole position at the British Grand Prix in July.

Hamilton’s victory was his first since Saudi Arabia in December 2021, the race that preceded his agony in Abu Dhabi, where Max Verstappen denied him an eighth world crown in one of the most controversial races in motorsport history.

While claiming victory at the British Grand Prix, Hamilton was seen breaking down in tears as he reflected on a rollercoaster journey back to the winner’s circle.

Those tears were perhaps as much about relief as happiness, after years of feeling the “pressure,” he admitted, of maintaining the top spot in the sport he loves.

But in a candid interview with The times, Hamilton said that as a young person he had “no one to talk to” about these issues and was now considering seeking a therapist.

He said: ‘I talked to a woman years ago, but that didn’t really help. I’d like to find someone today.’

The sports champion added that he has sometimes struggled to “calm my mind” but has found meditation, daily early morning runs, silent retreats and mental health books helpful in clearing negative thoughts.

He points to some of his problems dating back to his childhood, when he was bullied at school and faced racism as a mixed-race child.

His father, Anthony, is of Grenadian descent, while his mother, Carmen, is a white woman from Birmingham.

Anthony thought he was doing the right thing and advised the young Hamilton to keep quiet and not fight back, but Hamilton ultimately suppressed his emotions.

He remembersThere was no escape’ and everywhere he went he found racist views, but his parents never ‘explained’ him why.

Hamilton said: ‘My dad just said, “Keep your head down, keep it in, don’t say anything, just beat them on the track, that’s all you can do.”

Anthony was a huge presence in Hamilton’s career. He became his manager and took care of all elements of his great Formula 1 career, including taking care of his finances.

But in 2010, Hamilton came to the realization that to get ahead, he had to start on his own, live his life and make his own mistakes – and he fired his father from that role.

He remembers that moment as a ‘very difficult process’, but necessary.

Hamilton said: “Obviously parents are trying to protect their children, forever, I think, and some don’t want to let them go. My father had difficulty with that.’

However, today the couple is as close as ever.

When Hamilton won the British Grand Prix, it was Anthony’s first hug after getting out of his Mercedes and wiping away tears as he took off his helmet.

He said afterwards: ‘I’m still crying. There is no greater feeling than finishing here at the front.

‘It’s so hard for everyone. But what matters most is how you continue to get up and dig deep, even when you feel like you’re at the bottom of the barrel.

“There have definitely been days since 2021 where I felt like I wasn’t good enough or I would get back to where I am now, but I’ve had great people around me supporting me.”

Hamilton previously spoke about his mental health struggles in 2022 after finishing 10th at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

At the time, he said he was “struggling mentally and emotionally” and that it was a “constant effort to keep going.”

The Formula 1 world champion announced this via a post on his Instagram.

“It’s been such a tough year already with everything going on around us,” the 37-year-old said. ‘Some days it’s hard to stay positive.

“I have struggled mentally and emotionally for a long time, it is a constant effort to keep going, but we have to keep fighting. We have so much to do and achieve.”

He later added in a second post, “I’m writing to tell you that it’s okay to feel this way, but know that you’re not alone and we will get through this.

“A friend reminded me today: You are so powerful and you can do anything you put your mind to. We can do anything we set our minds to.

“Let us remember to live in gratitude that another day will rise. Sending you love and light.’