Mental Health Proponent Lewis Hamilton Cited Importance of “Vulnerability” to Inspire Downbeat Mercedes Colleagues

The story arc that Lewis Hamilton has taken in his Formula 1 career is nothing short of a blockbuster Hollywood script. The 7x champion overcame all the odds and the myriad adversities in his life to distinguish himself as one of the greatest F1 drivers of all time. Yet, the learnings he took in his life aren’t really ones you can cram into a 2-hour-long documentary. The man worked tirelessly for almost his entire life to get to where he is today.

Further, his life story, in F1 at least, isn’t one with a happy ending after all. Into the twilight years of his career, the 38-year-old seems to be lost on his way to that elusive eighth world title. And as things stand, he may never get to it, too. However, he’s putting all of his life’s learnings and lessons into work now as he aims to get himself and Mercedes back up on their feet.

Lewis Hamilton willing to sacrifice himself

Right now is when the Silver Arrows need their talisman the most. When they were at their best, he was there to sail them home. But now, when things are at their worst, can he show up once again? This is how Hamilton perceives this task.

While speaking to Fox Sports, he said, “Keeping everyone’s spirits high is how you show up. I think also showing vulnerability is really important. Particularly as it’s a very male-dominated sport, and a lot of these engineers don’t show emotion. Whether you’re on a high or you’re low, they’re calm, he explained. But deep down inside they can feel something.” 

“It’s showing them it’s okay to feel that, and it’s okay if you’re feeling down, share it with us, we’ll get there. Just having those conversations with people I think is something that I’ve really learned to appreciate. And I think I’ve broken through to a lot of people.”

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But while Hamilton is working hard to get his team up, there is a lot of introspection still to do.

Hamilton admits he’s not perfect

What the Silver Arrows need now is a man they can look up to. Hence, Hamilton needs to step up and set an example. Admit what’s wrong and move on. That is the message that needs to be delivered to all the boys and girls back at base at Brackley.

The 38-year-old continued, “I’m not perfect. Some days I’m tired, I’m groggy and I’m not all there, as some people are when you just arrive into your office. And that’s understanding about self-forgiveness, self love, which I didn’t have when I was a kid. I didn’t have [that] when I first got here.”

“I was just so tough on myself when I failed, and you fail a million times more than you succeed.”

Watch this later: Helmut Marko blasts Lewis Hamilton for a role in Michael Masi’s sacking

Can Lewis Hamilton pull Mercedes back on track?