Lewis Hamilton explains why he was forced to sack his dad as his manager

Lewis Hamilton has revealed the effects that Formula One had on his relationship with his dad, and why he had to sack his father as his manager.

After 16 seasons in the sport, Hamilton had his worst year in Formula One in 2022, when he failed to win a single race across the entire season.

It took just six races into his career for him to grab his first victory, at the Canadian Grand Prix in 2007, and he's not looked back since, winning 103 races in total, more than anyone else.

His success on the track has helped him to become the second richest driver of all time, leading to rumours he could even join in a bid to buy Manchester United.

In that debut season, Hamilton nearly won the drivers' world championship, only missing out by one point to eventual champion Kimi Raikkonen.

He did beat rival Fernando Alonso, kicking off a rivalry that still seemingly lasts to this day, with the Spanish driver leaving McLaren early due to it.

The British driver did win the title in his second season and one of the most noticeable things about the early part of his career was the presence of his dad Anthony, who was his manager and was at every race.

In 2010, Lewis ended their relationship as manager and client, and he's revealed it was in order to help their relationship as father and son.

"My dad was my manager when we got to F1. He worked so hard," the Mercedes driver told the On Purpose podcast.

"His work ethic was inspiring for me, to see what time he gets up in the morning. The little sleep he would have, endless days in the garage working towards the weekend, packing up the track, learning to be a better mechanic.

Hamilton hugs dad Anthony, something he hasn't always been able to do. Image: Alamy

"But it was difficult for him to show me love. Sometimes you just want a hug from your dad. You want to be embraced.

"At 22, 23, it got really intense when I got to F1. You don’t go to school to learn how to speak to the media. At the time I didn’t have PR, anybody to help protect me, or prepare me.

"A lot of mistakes happen. You learn on the go which was difficult for a youngster. You want to live a normal life but nothing is normal.

"Me and my dad bumped heads at one stage. I really just wanted him to be my dad. Let’s go and have fun, let’s laugh. We hadn’t had that for a long, long time.

"I decided to part ways with my dad to make decisions for myself. There was a period where we spoke less."

Anthony Hamilton chatting with Tom Cruise ahead of a race. Image: Alamy

The seven time world champion also confirmed that things are really good between the pair now, adding, "We have worked hard to come back together. He’s now the first person I call when I finish a race.

"There are days when I feel like I’m not enough, I’m not good enough. There are days when I question: ‘Can you still be the best?’ ‘Yes, you can."

Anthony can often still be seen at races to cheer for his son, but he isn't present at every race, which has clearly been very positive for the pair.

Lewis will be hoping that he doesn't go through as many lows as he did last season, when the latest campaign gets underway in Bahrain on March 5th.