Lewis Hamilton ‘overwhelmed’ and “so grateful” for support – ‘I never thought I’d have a follower other than my mum’

Lewis Hamilton has said that he feels “overwhelmed” by the support he has received during his glittering F1 career.

The seven-time world champion spoke about the love he has felt from the fans since making his F1 debut in 2007, revealing he thought only his parents would be supporting him.

He said in a YouTube video for Mercedes AMG Petronas: “It’s been beautiful to see people who have known me, somehow followed me before I even got to Formula One, and then people who started the journey with me in 2007.

“Even for those who have joined along the way, I love how this sport unites us and this journey has brought us together.

“I never ever actually thought, when I was growing up in Stevenage and playing around the corner in the park, I never thought I’d have a follower other than my mum, a supporter other than my mum or my dad.

“Then when I saw the first one in 2007, I was very overwhelmed just by the first person that I noticed supporting me and that’s grown over time so I’m so grateful.”

Hamilton was in a reflective mood after what has been one of his worst seasons, ending it without a Grand Prix victory for the first time in his career.

Max Verstappen cruised to the Drivers’ Championship as Hamilton dropped to his lowest position, P6, after retiring from the season’s final race in Abu Dhabi.

“This year was not the greatest,” he said. “It is probably up there with the top-three worst seasons. But in terms of how the team stayed united, there have been lots of pluses.

“It would have been nice to have taken a win, but one win is not really enough is it?

“I feel like this year, when we got our first fifth, it felt like a win. When we got our first fourth, it felt like a win. When we got our first podium, it felt like a win, and those second places felt as if we really achieved something, so I’ll just hold on to those.”

He said: “Motorsport isn’t the most important thing for me. When I was a kid, maybe it was. Probably also when I got into Formula 1.

“Ever since I was in my 30s, I’ve realised that it’s all about making memories. With friends, with family. It’s about key memories with the people who mean the most to you.

“That’s what I focus on and plan things to create those moments because that’s what you take with you in the long run.

“Sometimes you wake up and have this feeling: ‘I don’t want to do this anymore’. Sometimes you wake up and think: ‘I can still do other things my whole life, there is definitely more I want to achieve’. It won’t be a terribly long time now, but I’ll definitely be staying.

“I think retiring as a world champion is a dream that every athlete has – and so do I.”

Hamilton’s current contract with Mercedes runs until the end of 2023.