LEWIS HAMILTON revealed he did not know he had dyslexia until he was 17 as the Formula One star lifted the lid on some of his struggles at school.
The British hero has made a name for himself as one of the most successful drivers in the history of the sport.
Lewis Hamilton spoke bravely and honestly about his struggles with dyslexia with a group of schoolchildren
But in a video released on Tuesday, Hamilton opened up to a group of schoolchildren on the challenges he faced during his education.
He told pupils at Alperton Community School in North-West London before lockdown about overcoming and learning from failures as well as what life is like with dyslexia, especially undiagnosed.
Hamilton, 35, said: “I had a difficult time at school. It wasn’t the easiest. My dad really drilled into me that ‘never giving up’ kind of mentality.
“I still have failures today and you’re constantly going to be learning so don’t be phased by that. It’s a part of the necessary journey to success.
“I just encourage you guys just to never give up.
“I didn’t realise that I was dyslexic until I was 17 and I just struggled so much.
‘I was always playing catch up. Education was the most important always.
“That’s why I’m working with TOGETHERBAND, because there’s a lot of people round, a lot of kids around the world who don’t have the opportunity you guys have.”
Hamilton teamed up with TOGETHERBAND, a campaign targeting healthy and sustainable living by 2030.
The driver did not have the easiest start to life with his parents splitting when he was a toddler, being bullied at school, growing up in a council house and then moving in with his dad aged 12.
The former Peartree Junior School and John Henry Newman School pupil told SunSport in 2018 he plans to work with the UK education system, possibly even build a school to help get kids into engineering.
His determined work ethic, love for karting and natural ability saw him rise through the ranks as a racer.
Now he has six F1 world championships to his name, just one behind all-time record holder Michael Schumacher, and is currently preparing for the postponed start to the 2020 season, rescheduled for July 5.
At the visit to Alpterton, Hamilton added: “I came from a council house in Stevenage and now I’m having lunch with the Queen, and I’m sitting with Nelson Mandela and I’m getting to experience these things that I’m so incredibly grateful for.
“I’m just trying to give some inspiration, but it is a very difficult tool to use.
“You can show everything and then get in trouble – and so trying to find the right balance is what I’m constantly faced with every day.”
Asked what Hamilton did to become a champion by a pupil, he said: “Just a lot of hard work. I really wanted to be great at something.
“I think we can all be great at something. It’s down to you and to your families to help you find what that is. When you find it, grab onto it, enjoy it and work your backside off.”
The six-time F1 world champion found school tough but found his passion and love behind the wheel
Lewis Hamilton returns to track for first time in over 100 days at Silverstone
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
