Lewis Hamilton reveals his long time mental health struggles

• Hamilton recently opened up on his Instagram story about how he has been struggling with mental health issues 
• The F1 star is facing a difficult season in his racing career with 29 points behind Ferrari’s championship leader Charles Leclerc
• Hamilton had also opened up about his mental health struggles in September 2021

Seven-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton has opened up on his mental health struggles in a candid social media post.

“It’s been such a tough year already with everything that is going around us,” the Mercedes driver stated.

Lewis Hamilton. Photo/Middle East Eye

Hamilton finished third in the first race of the Formula One season in Bahrain pre-season testing, as both Red Bull drivers experienced car problems in the final few laps.

And the Britts weekend did not go as planned, as he finished 10th in Saudi Arabia with only one point.

After narrowly missing out on the Drivers’ Championship last season to Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, the British driver is off to a bad start this season.

Last year’s season began in Abu Dhabi, where Verstappen was declared champion after a controversial final lap.

This meant Hamilton was unable to break the record for most Drivers’ Championship titles, and such a sad occurrence could not have improved the mental issues he was already dealing with

From the day of that December race until February, the sport’s most successful driver of all time, with a record 103 victories and poles, avoided social media.

Hamilton’s silence fueled speculation about his future, with Mercedes team chief Toto Wolff labelling him “disillusioned.”

Hamilton, the sport’s lone Black driver and an outspoken advocate for equality and diversity, has faced racism and online abuse.

“It’s been such a tough year already with everything that is happening around us,” Hamilton said.

“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 achieve.

Hamilton reminds others that they are not alone

Hamilton went on to tell his fans that it’s okay to struggle in this way, and he ended on a positive note.

“I’m writing to tell you it’s okay to feel the way you do. Just know that you are not alone, and we are going to get through this.”

Photo: Planet F1

“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.”

The Mercedes driver had also opened up about his mental health struggles in September 2020.

“I also have a lot of difficult days, especially in the bubble that we’re currently in.

 “You get lonely, you miss your friends and family, and with back to back race weeks, it means there’s not much time for anything but work.

“So I’m grateful for the ones closest to me helping me keep a balance, even if it’s just through [sic] text, phone or FaceTime.

“I guess what I’m trying to say is that it’s never a bad thing to ask for help if you need it or tell somebody how you feel.

“Showing your vulnerable side doesn’t make you weak; instead, I like to think of it as a chance to become stronger.”

The seven-time world champion is currently 29 points behind Ferrari’s championship leader Charles Leclerc and will return to the track next week on Sunday at the Australian Grand Prix.