With Over 30 Million Fans and Legacy Made, Lewis Hamilton Once Believed He Would Have No One Bar 1 Follower

The end of the 2022 season marked the completion of 16 years of Lewis Hamilton in Formula 1. Looking back at the huge career milestone, Lewis reacted to loving and heartfelt messages from his fans. One beautiful message from one who followed his journey ever since the beginning brought out an emotional response from Mercedes’ main man.

Ever since he stepped foot into F1, Lewis Hamilton took the motor sporting world by storm. In his rookie season, Hamilton finished 2nd behind Kimi Raikkonen, defeated for the championship by just 1 point. The next year in 2008, he came back even more determined and grabbed his maiden world championship title. Since then, what he has achieved is arguably one of the most successful runs that the sport has ever witnessed.

Lewis Hamilton thought he will have only one special follower

Mercedes recently released a series of videos on their Twitter, with Lewis Hamilton reacting to fans’ messages. One of the messages read, “Beginning of a beautiful and inspiring trajectory, proud to be able to accompany him for 15 years and call him an idol. I love you.”

Hamilton reacted, “Love you too! Yeah what a journey 15 years in Formula 1. It’s been beautiful to see people who have followed me before I even got to Formula 1 and then people who started the journey with me in 2007. Even for those who have joined along the way. I love how this sport unites us and how this journey has brought us together.”

“I never actually thought when I was growing up in Stevenage and I was playing around the corner in the park, I never thought I would have a follower other than my mum! Like a supporter other than my mum or my dad. Then I saw the first ones in 2007 I was like… I was overwhelmed by the first person I noticed supporting me and that’s grown over time so I’m super grateful.”

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In October this year, the Brazilian government granted Lewis Hamilton honorary citizenship for the country. The love he received during the ceremony the next month left his mother emotional.

How Lewis’ mother reacted to him being honored in Brazil

Lewis Hamilton’s love for Brazil is no secret. His racing idol Ayrton Senna came from the country, and moreover, the Briton won his maiden world championship title in 2008 in Brazil. In 2021 after winning the race in Interlagos, Hamilton even waved the Brazilian flag on the podium. Therefore, it was only fair the government honored him with citizenship.

Talking in an interview ahead of the Sao Paulo GP, Lewis revealed, “My mum was in tears earlier in the week when we were facetiming. She was like she can’t believe her son is receiving so much love in another country that’s so far away from where she is, so she wanted me to say thank you to everybody.”

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Lewis may have gained 31 million followers on Instagram and more on other socials, but he will surely have his mum’s support throughout. She was there to support him since day 1 in motor racing, and she will be there to support him for his last.