“I Get Bullied All the Time” – Lewis Hamilton Reveals Why He’s Adopted a ‘Karate’ Style in F1

Lewis Hamilton is evidently one of the oldest F1 drivers on the track at the moment with abundant experience in the pocket. Hence, owning 7 world championship titles to his name, Hamilton is a viable candidate to describe what the sport is all about.

In a video, the Mercedes driver compared F1 drivers to being warriors. He felt that the fighting spirit of a warrior is one of the most common characteristics of a racing driver. Hamilton further reckoned that being a pushover would never help a driver reach the top in F1.

What did Lewis Hamilton say?

During another episode of ‘What F1 Feels Like‘, Hamilton spoke about the mentality of a driver under the helmet. The Mercedes driver opened up about bullying in the early days of his life, which pushed him to learn Karate to obstruct any such abuses. He compared the same with F1.

“You need to get your elbows out and you need to be tough. So, that’s why I went to Karate because I get bullied all the time, and I need to stand up for myself. And it’s the same thing as you do in the car,” Hamilton said

“To get to the top, you have to take it. No one’s going to give it to you. It’s not like, ‘I won’t ever take it. You keep that position’. No, I’m taking it,” he added.

Formula One F1 – British Grand Prix – Silverstone Circuit, Silverstone, Britain – July 17, 2021 Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton reacts after sprint qualifying REUTERS/Andrew Couldridge

Hamilton may have looked lost for a brief phase in 2021, but he doesn’t seem as lost at the moment. Two races were all that’s needed for the Briton to retake the lead from title rival, Max Verstappen, and is already in pursuit of a record 8th championship title.

Hamilton denies being a pushover in F1

“The warrior comes out when you’re in the car. I think I’m a warrior on a day-to-day basis to fight so many. I think there’s different elements, different characteristics that you need to have. And if you’re a pushover, you never get to the front,” the 7-time world champion said.

Formula One F1 – Steiermark Grand Prix – Red Bull Ring, Spielberg, Styria, Austria – June 27, 2021 Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton after finishing second in the race Pool via REUTERS/Darko Vojinovic

Hamilton is definitely isn’t a pushover, considering he has faced intense opponents and rivals throughout his career. From Fernando Alonso to Jenson Button to Felipe Massa to Nico Rosberg, the list goes on.

And what’s common in all of these rivalries is that Hamilton never really lost any of them, barring two seasons, each against Rosberg and Button.

But can Verstappen add himself into the elite list of drivers who have dared to defeat the ever-dominant, Lewis Hamilton? Well, we’ll know in months’ time.

Watch Story: Lewis Hamilton: Ranking His F1 World Titles From 2008 to 2020

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