An Interview with Lewis Hamilton: The Journey of Self-Discovery

After controversially missing out on a record eighth Formula 1 world championship in December and then ending the most disappointing season of his career, Lewis Hamilton is "happier than ever".

Lewis Hamilton says a journey of self-discovery, including a mid-season trip to Africa, has helped him overcome a challenging period in Formula 1.

Lewis Hamilton: "Working in an organization that was predominantly white, speaking differently, being different, I remember the pressures of the idea that I had to be different," said Hamilton, who is the only black to race in F1 are drivers.

"I talked years ago about feeling like I had to squeeze into a different size to fit in. There's a shape that can be found in F1 and if you're not that size, you're not welcome." So you kind of squeeze yourself into that so you can go through it, and then when you come in you can slowly be yourself, and that's what I did."

While reflecting on the past still haunts Hamilton, he says it has also partly inspired him to travel to Africa.

"I think it was really trying to understand your place in the world," he says. "Growing up I had so many painful experiences with discrimination, that just recently I was going to visit my parents and they said 'You never told us about it'."

"It's been a good period, transitional," he says. "I definitely feel like I'm happier than ever, which is really weird because I'm not winning in racing, and that's really my go-to.

"Finding success there would bring me great joy, but I am now finding more happiness in my personal life, more comfortable in who I am, and in my surroundings and my intentions."