Lewis Hamilton: “It’s not easy to go after your dreams”

© Daimler AG

Lewis Hamilton talks about following your dreams and explains his rocky path to Formula 1, after McLaren “ripped up” his contract.

In an interview with Formula1.com, after he won his seventh world title, Lewis Hamilton talked about his early days in motorsport. The Briton was asked if he ever thought he could beat Michael Schumacher’s seven world titles record.

“It wasn’t unimaginable but I think it was seen as impossible,” said the Briton.

“However I still dreamed of it. I dreamed of going to space, I still may go to space! I believe in things. I think when you dream, we all come up with crazy ideas and often think that’s crazy, but there’s something there.

“It’s our duty as human beings to investigate what that is. Not to neglect it, figure out how hard it is to get there and go for it if you that’s what you really want.

“I know for a lot of people out there, it’s not easy to go after your dreams. My mum used to love dancing but as soon as she had kids, she stopped dancing.

“My dad had things he wanted to do, but as soon as he had me that all changed. So I understand that.

“But my dad had a dream of us both being here. We worked together. If one thing drops, something else comes up, there’s always doors.”


If you like SilverArrows.Net, consider supporting us by buying us a coffee!



Hamilton also reveals a story of how he almost lost out on his dream, when McLaren “torn up” his junior driver contract in 2005, two years prior to his Formula 1 debut in 2007.

“When I think about 2006, oh man. People may or may not know, I remember the year before my contract was ripped up with McLaren towards the end of the year [2004], I had to find sponsorship money for the last two. I was pushing to go to GP2 earlier.

“I then came back into contract and we entered GP2 the next year in 2006. I know I was in the F1 circuit, I knew the bosses would be watching, including the most important one, Ron [Dennis, McLaren team boss at the time]. I put so much pressure on myself.

“Most championships I did, they said we do two years in each – a year of learning and a year to win it. And if you don’t win it by your second year, you’re not good enough.

“That was always the thinking. But I remember that year, in my mind, if I could win this in my first year maybe they’ll give me a chance to be in F1 next year. So I put an unbelievable amount of pressure on myself.

“In that race [in Turkey] there were multiple obstacles. I had that spin and I remember that feeling I had, holding the clutch, making sure I didn’t finish, letting go and not hitting the car that came by.

“Then not just giving up, and pushing like never before, and coming second. What a moment. It was one of the pivotal moments in my career.

“People thought ‘he’s the real deal’,” concluded the seven-time champion.

Follow us on Twitter @SilverArrowsNet and like us on Facebook!

Comments are closed.