Lewis Hamilton Parents: Meet Anthony Hamilton and Carmen Larbalestier

Lewis Hamilton is a British racing driver, widely regarded as one of the greatest Formula One drivers of all time. He currently holds the record for most race victories and pole positions in Formula One history. Most impressively, he shares the record for most Formula One World Drivers’ Championships titles at seven.  

His first championship win in 2008 was particularly significant, as he became the first Black driver to achieve that feat.Hamilton’s journey to success began early. He started karting at the young age of eight and quickly rose through the ranks of local, national, and international karting championships.His talent was recognized, and he was recruited into the McLaren young driver program.

This program provided the launchpad for his meteoric rise in Formula One. Beyond his racing prowess, Hamilton is known for his outspoken personality and his advocacy for social causes. He has been a vocal critic of racism in motorsports and has actively pushed for increased diversity within the sport. He is also an environmentalist and a fashion icon.

Parents

Hamilton’s drive to become a Formula One champion was nurtured by his parents, Anthony Hamilton and Carmen Larbalestier, who both played a role in his racing journey. His father, Anthony, introduced him to the world of racing at a very young age. Hamilton took his first go-kart ride at just 3 years old, thanks to his dad.

Anthony’s dedication continued as he bought Lewis a second-hand go-kart when he was 8 years old. This early exposure and support helped spark Hamilton’s passion for racing. However, Hamilton’s parents divorced when he was just 2 years old. This meant his childhood involved living with both parents at different times.

Initially, he lived with his mother, Carmen and his half-sisters. Then, at the age of 12, Hamilton moved in with his father, stepmother Linda and his half-brother Nicolas, who is also a racing driver. Despite the separation, both Anthony and Carmen supported Hamilton’s racing ambitions. After his win at the British Karting Championship at the young age of 10, his parents made a joint decision.

Hamilton would move in with his father to focus more intently on his racing career. This choice proved to be a turning point, as Lewis continued to develop his talent behind the wheel. It’s worth noting that Hamilton recently honored his mother, Carmen, by incorporating her maiden name, Larbalestier, into his own last name.

Karting career

Hamilton’s racing journey began early, on the go-kart track. At just eight years old in 1993, he was already turning heads and winning races in local and national cadet class championships. By the age of ten, his talent was undeniable – he became the youngest driver ever to win the British Cadet Karting Championship. This early success was a sign of things to come.

Hamilton’s determination and raw skill caught the attention of the McLaren Formula One team. The story goes that a ten-year-old Hamilton even approached McLaren team boss Ron Dennis at an award ceremony, confidently stating his dream of one day racing their cars.

Also Read: Tom Brady Parents: Meet Galynn Patricia and Thomas Brady Sr.

Dennis, impressed by the young driver’s ambition, wrote in his autograph book to “phone him in nine years.” While he waited for his F1 shot, Hamilton continued to dominate the karting world. Throughout the late 90s, he secured victories in European and World Championships, and by the year 2000, at the young age of 15, he became the youngest driver ever to be ranked number one in karting. This period cemented his reputation as a prodigy in the making, paving the way for his successful transition into higher formulas and ultimately, Formula One.

Formula One career

Hamilton’s Formula One career is nothing short of phenomenal. Debuting in 2007, he became the first Black driver in the sport’s history. Since then, he has rewritten the record books. Tied with Michael Schumacher, Hamilton holds the most World Drivers’ Championship titles at seven. He has also surpassed all other drivers in race wins (103), pole positions (104) and podium finishes (197).

Hamilton’s journey began long before Formula One. He dominated the junior categories, winning championships in Formula Renault, Formula 3 and GP2. This early success caught the eye of McLaren, a top Formula One team, who took a chance on the young driver. Partnered with Fernando Alonso, another future champion, Hamilton burst onto the scene in 2007, becoming a title contender in his rookie year.

He eventually claimed his first championship in 2008, becoming the first Black driver to achieve that feat. After a stint at McLaren, Hamilton joined Mercedes in 2013, a move that proved pivotal. Together, they embarked on a period of unprecedented dominance. From 2014 to 2020, they secured a staggering six consecutive driver’s and constructor’s championships.

Hamilton himself secured four championships during this period, drawing level with the legendary Michael Schumacher. In recent years, the competition has intensified, with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen emerging as a strong rival. While Hamilton narrowly missed out on an eighth championship in 2021, he remains a force to be reckoned with. Though the 2022 and 2023 seasons haven’t yielded race wins for Hamilton due to regulation changes impacting Mercedes, his legacy as one of Formula One’s greatest drivers is firmly cemented. With a rumored move to Ferrari for the 2025 season, Hamilton’s illustrious career is far from over.

Championships

Hamilton’s dominance is undeniable, evidenced by his record-breaking seven Formula One World Drivers’ Championship titles. This ties him with the great Michael Schumacher for the most championship wins in F1 history. Hamilton’s championship journey began in 2008, making him the first Black driver to achieve this feat. He then went on a roll, securing four consecutive championships from 2014 to 2017.

During this period, he displayed incredible skill and consistency, overcoming challenges and racking up wins. In 2018, he battled against Sebastian Vettel, overcoming a mid-season deficit to claim another championship title. His relentless pursuit of victory didn’t stop there. In 2019 and 2020, he secured two more championships, finally equalling Michael Schumacher’s record of seven. This cemented his place as one of the greatest Formula One drivers of all time.