Lewis Hamilton has said he has struggled with his mental health “for much of his life”, and blames the pressure of motor racing and bullying that he suffered at school.
Hamilton, 39, is one of the most successful Formula One (F1) drivers in history, having won a joint-record seven world titles.
The racer, who was born in Stevenage, has won more F1 races (105) than anyone else and also holds the records for most pole positions (104), and podium (top three) finishes (201).
But despite his career successes, he told The Sunday Times he had “some really difficult phases” during his 20s, admitting he has “struggled with mental health through my life”.
“[I’ve had] depression. From a very early age, when I was, like, 13. I think it was the pressure of the racing and struggling at school. The bullying. I had no one to talk to,” he said.
His life changed, he revealed, during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, when, following a period of soul-searching, he began waking up at 5am to meditate before going for a run.
Despite initially struggling to find peace, he said the new routine was “a really great way of getting in touch with myself, my inner feelings, understanding what I can do”.
Asked if he has ever seen a therapist, Hamilton replied: “I spoke to one woman, years ago, but that wasn’t really helpful. I would like to find someone today.”
Hamilton, who earlier this season became the oldest driver to win a Formula One race in the 21st century, will not add to his tally of championship titles this year.
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With six races remaining, the Mercedes driver is sixth in the standings but trails the championship leader, Max Verstappen, by 157 points with only 150 left to win.
He will move to Ferrari at the end of this season after 12 years with Mercedes.