Lewis Hamilton has revealed he has ‘struggled mentally and emotionally for a long time’ as the Formula 1 star opened up on his mental health battle.
Hamilton, who finished tenth at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix last Sunday, posted on Instagram on Thursday about a ‘tough year’ on and off the track.
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In December, Red Bulls rival Max Verstappen secured his first ever world title after he overtook the Brit on the final lap at the Yas Marina Circuit in a controversial finish to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The race was tainted by a dubious safety car procedure, which ultimately cost Hamilton a record-breaking eighth world triumph, with the FIA admitting ‘human error’ following an investigation.
The low of losing out on the title in such dramatic fashion has been followed up with a startling dip in performance for Mercedes at the start of the new season, with big doubts raised over team’s chances of challenging for the title.
Hamilton reached out to his 27.4million followers on social media to talk about his mental health struggles, but had an overall positive message to share with fans.
“It has been such a tough year already with everything that is happening around us,” said the 37-year-old.
“Hard some days to stay positive. I have struggled mentally and emotionally for a long time, to keep going is a constant effort but we have to keep fighting. We have so much to do and to achieve.
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“I am writing to tell you it is OK to to feel the way you do, just know that you are not alone and that we are going to 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 put our mind to.
“Let’s remember to live in gratitude for another day to rise. Sending you love and light.”
Contesting his 16th season on the grid, the Mercedes driver has won more F1 races than any other driver in the sport, winning 103 to date.
He has endured a difficult start to the new campaign, however, with questions marks over the Mercedes car and its radical new design compared to rivals Red Bull and Ferrari.
Hamilton finished third in this year’s opening race in Bahrain, but secured just one point last weekend in Saudi Arabia.
The Brit, who is already 29 points behind championship leader Charles Leclerc of Ferrari, will be back on track at the Australian Grand Prix a week on Sunday.
Source: TalkSport.com Motorsport
