Lewis Hamilton admits he has ‘struggled mentally and emotionally for a long time’

The seven-time F1 world champion opened up on Instagram in the wake of heartbreak in the final race of the 2021 season and amid a difficult start to the new season

Lewis Hamilton pictured at last week’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix (Getty Images)

Lewis Hamilton has revealed he is “struggling mentally and emotionally” and said it is a “constant effort to keep going” amid a challenging start to the new Formula One season.

The seven-time F1 world champion, who finished 10th at last Sunday’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, made the admission via a post on his Instagram story on Thursday.

“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.”

Hamilton, who has won more F1 races than any driver in the sport’s history, is contesting his 16th season on the grid. But the British driver has endured a trying start to the new campaign in his uncompetitive Mercedes machinery, on the back of a heartbreaking finish the 2021 season in Abu Dhabi.

Hamilton finished third at the opening round in Bahrain – after both Red Bull drivers retired in the closing stages with reliability failures – and then scored only a solitary point in Saudi Arabia last weekend.

Hamilton was against competing in Jeddah, following a nearby missile strike during Friday’s practice, and said after the race: “I just want to go home.”

On Thursday, he continued: “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.”

Hamilton, already 29 points behind championship leader Charles Leclerc, will be back on track at the Australian Grand Prix a week on Sunday.