Lewis Hamilton has spoken candidly in regards to the psychological well being struggles he skilled as he tried to “heal” from his controversial 2021 F1 title loss.
The seven-time world champion claimed his first F1 victory in nearly three years – his first since lacking out on a file eighth world title to Max Verstappen in a contentious 2021 season finale in Abu Dhabi – in Sunday’s British Grand Prix.
Mercedes have struggled for competitiveness because the introduction of latest rules in 2022 and whereas teammate George Russell has taken two wins in that point, Hamilton had been unable so as to add to his tally of 103 victories till an emotional triumph in an epic wet-dry residence race at Silverstone.
Requested if his record-extending ninth British Grand Prix win was the ultimate piece within the jigsaw to assist him transfer on from the controversy which overshadowed 2021, Hamilton informed media together with Crash.web: “I believe solely time will inform. What I can say is that I’m not giving up.
“I really feel like I’m making the suitable selections with my life, how I put together and the way I handle my time. The choice I’ve taken for instance for subsequent yr, the dedication I nonetheless have for this workforce, the love that I nonetheless have for this workforce, and the love that I nonetheless have for my job.
“I actually, actually love this job. There’s by no means going to be something that comes near it, and it’s one thing that I’m extremely grateful to be in amongst, these 20 drivers inside this nice sport that’s having such a momentous time.
“Truthfully, once I got here again in 2022, I assumed that I used to be over it, and I do know I wasn’t, and it is taken a very long time for positive to heal that form of feeling. That’s solely pure for anybody that has that have. I’ve simply been persevering with to try to work on myself, and discover that internal peace day-by-day.”
Hamilton went on to disclose he has confronted a number of low factors together with his psychological well being throughout his 945-day wait to return to successful methods.
“The sensation, it feels totally different to earlier races, and notably races the place you’re having race after race after race, or seasons the place you’re having a number of wins,” Hamilton defined.
“I believe with the adversity we have gone by means of as a workforce, and that I personally felt that I’ve skilled, these challenges, the fixed problem like all of us must rise up off the bed each day and provides it our greatest shot.
“There are such a lot of instances if you really feel like your greatest shot just isn’t adequate, and the frustration generally that you may really feel. We reside in a time the place psychological well being is such a severe difficulty, and I’m not going to lie, I’ve skilled that.
“There’s positively been moments the place the thought that this was it, that it was by no means going to occur once more. So to have this sense coming throughout the road, I believe truthfully, I’ve by no means cried coming from a win. It simply got here out of me. It’s a extremely, actually nice feeling. I’m very, very grateful for it.”
