Lewis Hamilton‘s name has become associated with Formula 1 due to his incredible performance and record-breaking driving.
However, off the track, one thing that has been constant in his life is his family. From supporting him during his go-kart days to watching him prosper in Formula 1, his family surely deserves a highlight.
Anthony Hamilton – Father
The biggest reason why Lewis got into racing is because of his father. When the driver was six years old, his father bought him a remote-controlled car.
Seeing his son’s driving, Anthony decided to buy him a go-kart for Christmas and things have never been the same ever since.
Anthony supported Lewis through his time in go-karting. For seven years, the duo worked their way from the Rye House Kart Circuit in Hertfordshire to Formula Super A stardom.
Anthony was Lewis’s manager till 2010 after which he was sacked.
Lewis, however, sidelined the incident saying that his father’s sacking was not a big deal.
“Dad will miss being here, but it was me who initiated the break,” he said.
“He’s got other things to focus on, and I don’t want my dad being my manager anymore.”
Anthony later revealed what exactly happened between the two.
“He thought, ‘Do you know what dad? I am fed up listening to you’,” he said.
“He decided he wanted to be his own man. I was comfortable with that.”
His father also disclosed that Lewis did not give him a promised £3million payment for his 18 years of service as a ‘thank you’.
He revealed, “It just never happened. I am comfortable with it. It’s not my business. If he says he’s going to do something and he doesn’t that’s his loss.”
Anthony was married to Carmen Larbalestier, Lewis’ mother. However, the two separated when Lewis was just two years old.
Carmen Larbalestier – Mother
While Lewis’s father was present at all of his son’s races, his biological mother Carmen was more elusive.
The Mercedes driver, however, spent a lot of time with her during his formative years. He was raised by her till he was 12 years old.
After that, he moved to live with his father and stepmother Linda along with his half-brother Nicolas.
Even though Carmen was not present in many of Lewis’ races, the two seem to enjoy a stable relationship.
While talking about her separation from Anthony, Carmen revealed, “Lewis was the best thing to come out of my marriage. [The split] didn’t damage Lewis.
“He is probably better for it than if we had stuck together in an unhappy marriage.
“Tony wanted to be somebody and he has achieved that. I wanted the quiet life and that put a barrier between us. I couldn’t see myself in that busy, hectic lifestyle.
“But I didn’t stop him making sure Lewis got what he wanted. Without his dad’s constant, constant work he would not have been able to continue.”
Linda Hamilton – Step-Mother
While Lewis lived with his biological mother for 12 years, he moved in with his father and stepmother Linda Hamilton.
His father had already been with her for two years. She even took a more active role in raising Lewis both before and after he moved in with them.
Linda was also present in many of Lewis’ races with Anthony even after he was sacked.
During the Chinese Grand Prix in 2008, Linda also shared a sweet moment with Lewis and his birth mother Carmen after the three of them hugged.
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