Lewis is one of the icons of sport worldwide, and that’s something we all have to accept. But his heart is in the right place, and his heart does not forget, and that’s really nice.” His third world championship - matching the tally of his boyhood hero Ayrton Senna - confirmed that Lewis Hamilton had joined the ranks of the sport's greatest drivers. You’ve won the season. Enjoy it, show humility. There’s no need to dredge up the past or rekindle old feuds,” Wolff added, alluding to lingering tensions from the 2021 season finale and its aftermath. After years of trying to impress Dennis, Hamilton finally got a "sensational" deal with McLaren in 1998. He immediately stood out. Not only because he was good - and he was - but because he did not look like any of the other kids he was racing.

He had the ability to stay out of trouble. He was always there at the end with his relentlessness and never-say-die attitude," he adds. I wouldn't mind, it doesn't matter, anyone [can be my team-mate]. I don't want to particularly put it on Lewis, there are so many great drivers as well. Sometimes it doesn't work out like that." Nic was born two months early and it was a long time after his birth – I think nearly eighteen months – before he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. He was still the same Nic to us and we loved him whatever. Nic has trouble walking, and this affects his whole body to a point, but he never complains. He always has a smile on his face whatever the situation.

The background of the story

Over the past few years, Hamilton has become increasingly vocal on causes that matter to him. It started with environmentalism, then veganism, which grew out of his concerns for the health of the planet. Then, as the death of George Floyd at the hands of US police sparked a global outcry in the summer of 2020, Hamilton found the voice to speak out on the horrors and injustices of racism, systemic and otherwise.

Firstly, a big congratulations to Max and his team,” he said ahead of the podium ceremony at Abu Dhabi. “I think our team did an amazing job…all the men and women who have worked so hard this whole year…I’m so proud of them and so grateful to be part of the journey with them…We gave it absolutely everything and we never gave up – that’s the most important thing…We’re still in the Covid pandemic and I just wish for everyone to stay safe and have a good Christmas with all their families and we’ll see about next year.”He’s still a massive reason why I’m as strong as I am and why I’m out of my wheelchair. I’m still his No 1 fan. Lewis and my dad [Anthony], he has been the anchor for the whole family. As he received the congratulations of his team, Hamilton was almost overcome with emotion in the car after the race, saying: "To all the kids out there, dream the impossible."

Whitmarsh says: “He was very cosseted at McLaren, very controlled by two individuals he wanted to divorce himself from [his father and Dennis]. They had contributed to his growth but then ultimately limited his growth. I think he had the belief that he had to become his own man, and he had to be able to survive and grow further without those two dominant characters. Undisputed were Lewis Hamilton’s unrivaled achievements after 288 F1 races. His records to date included 103 victories, 103 pole positions, 183 podium appearances and numerous other distinctions . It is an activity that, in the words of Mercedes technical director James Allison, requires “sublime delicacy and unbelievable levels of concentration and precision”. That was one of the most difficult moments,” Hamilton says now. “I have been a very loyal person, I had been with McLaren since I was 13, so to decide to leave a team that had given me a place in the sport and to call your boss and tell them you’re leaving was damaging and emotionally difficult.”Rosberg’s lead was out to 33 points and there were four races left. All Hamilton could do now was win them all, and hope that some misfortune befell Rosberg in one of them. The problem comes when the rear tyres drop off. That’s when they are so much better than the rest. They still keep the speed going in.” Hamilton set up The Hamilton Commission to improve F1's diversity, and has also been outspoken on human rights abuses in countries where F1 is staged. In the end, Alonso finished second behind Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen, with Hamilton third, but the ‘kid’ had left a huge impression. And it just kept growing. Even if I was better than somebody else. Just juggling all these emotions that you're feeling, plus I struggled at school. I didn't find out until I was 16 that I was dyslexic.