Express Sport lifts the lid on Lewis Hamilton’s personal life (Image: Getty)
, the F1 megastar often hailed as one of Britain’s finest sporting talents, owes much of his remarkable journey to his devoted family’s backing.
At 39, Hamilton has earned the reputation of potentially being the sport’s all-time best driver.
Express Sport pulls back the curtain on his personal life, charting his rise from modest Stevenage roots to a frosty period with his father…
Two mums
Hamilton prides himself on having two mothers in his life. His birth mother, Carmen Larbalestier, was by his side through thick and thin, cheering him on at numerous F1 races and accompanying him to Windsor Castle for his knighthood in late 2021.
Born in 1985, Hamilton was later brought up alongside his half-sisters Nicola and Samantha after Carmen gained custody when he was aged 12. In 2022, he stirred conversations by announcing plans to take on his mother’s maiden name, reflecting on the tradition where women relinquish their family names upon marriage, remarking: “I don’t fully understand the idea that when people get married the woman loses their name. I really want my mum to continue on with the Hamilton name.”
In addition, Hamilton credits Linda, his stepmother, for her integral role in raising him from the age of 12 after moving in with her and his father, Anthony Hamilton. Linda’s presence is no stranger to the Grand Prix scene either; she joined Carmen in a poignant embrace of their son following his victory at the Chinese Grand Prix in 2008 — a prelude to his first world championship triumph.
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Lewis Hamilton has spoken about growing up with two mums (Image: Getty)
Sacking his own father
Hamilton’s father Anthony is renowned for his early influence on Lewis’s career, reportedly working four jobs to cover the expenses of his son’s budding karting pursuits. Anthony was pivotal in managing his son following his breakthrough into Formula 1 and was by his side during his triumphant 2008 world title win. However, a decision made two years later would alter their dynamic significantly.
Hamilton shocked fans when he publicised the end of his father’s involvement in his professional racing life. The move seemingly put their relationship on ice, but time has healed wounds, and the pair are now frequently seen enjoying Grand Prix events together.
Reflecting on their past rift, Lewis opened up about their friction and the personal reconciliation that followed. He candidly discussed the difficult moments with his dad on the : “Me and my dad bumped heads at one stage. I really just wanted him to be my dad. Let’s go and have fun, let’s laugh. We hadn’t had that for a long, long time. I decided to part ways with my dad to make decisions for myself. There was a period where we spoke less.”
Hamilton ended his father’s involvement in his racing career (Image: Getty)
Growing up in ‘slums’
Hamilton grew up in Stevenage, where he attended a local Catholic school alongside future England international Ashley Young. However, he sparked outrage among residents of his hometown at the 2018 Sports Personality of the Year awards when he remarked: “It’s been a really long journey, a dream for us all, as a family, to do something different, to get out of the slums.”
This comment drew the ire of the locals, prompting Stevenage Borough Council leader Sharon Taylor to say: “It is disappointing that referred to Stevenage as ‘the slums’ at such a high-profile event. He clearly realised what he had said and tried to correct it but sadly the people of our town, many of whom admire and support him, felt very offended.”
Hamilton later apologised publicly via , stating: “I definitely make mistakes quite often and particularly when you’re up in front of a crowd trying to find the right words to express the long journey that you’ve had in life. I chose the wrong words, but I didn’t mean anything by it and those of you who know me know that I always mean love.”