Lewis Hamilton Parents: Meet Anthony and Carmen Larbalestier

Lewis Carl Davidson Hamilton, born on January 7, 1985, in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, England, is a British Formula One driver widely regarded as one of the greatest in the sport’s history. Competing for Ferrari in the 2025 season after a storied tenure with McLaren and Mercedes, Hamilton has redefined excellence in motorsport.

His journey from a working-class background to global stardom is a testament to his talent, determination, and the unwavering support of his family. Beyond racing, Hamilton is a cultural icon, known for his activism in promoting diversity, supporting the Black Lives Matter movement, and pursuing interests in fashion, music, and environmental advocacy.

Lewis Hamilton parents

Lewis was born to Anthony Hamilton, of Afro-Grenadian descent, and Carmen Larbalestier, from Birmingham. The couple married in the late 1970s but separated when Lewis was two years old, divorcing shortly after. Following the split, Lewis lived with his mother and two half-sisters, Samantha and Nicola, from Carmen’s previous relationship, until he was twelve. During this time, he spent weekends with his father, fostering an early emotional bond despite the physical distance. At age ten, his parents decided he should move in with his father, Anthony, and stepmother, Linda, to focus on his budding racing career, as Anthony was deeply invested in nurturing Lewis’s talent. Carmen, now Carmen Lockhart after remarrying, maintained a close relationship with Lewis, offering emotional support and attending key moments like his first world championship win in 2008 and his knighthood ceremony in 2021.

Anthony, who later married Linda, welcomed a son, Nicolas, Lewis’s half-brother, born in 1992 with cerebral palsy, who also became a professional racer with Lewis’s support. Anthony’s dedication was pivotal, working multiple jobs—sometimes up to four, including roles as an IT manager, contractor, salesman, and driving instructor—to fund Lewis’s early karting career. He managed Lewis professionally until 2010, when their professional relationship ended, leading to a temporary personal rift. However, they reconciled, and Anthony remains a constant presence at races, notably sharing an emotional embrace with Lewis after his 2024 British Grand Prix victory. Linda, Lewis’s stepmother, played an equally significant role, raising him from age twelve and supporting his racing alongside Anthony. Lewis credits both his biological and stepmothers for their unconditional love, referring to Carmen as “the best part of me” in a 2020 Instagram post. Despite early tensions, including a rumored unpaid $4 million promise from Lewis to Anthony, the family has since healed, with both parents and Linda frequently seen supporting Lewis at Grand Prix events.

Career

Hamilton’s racing journey began at age six with a radio-controlled car, followed by a second-hand go-kart gifted by Anthony at eight. By ten, he won the British Kart Championship, becoming the youngest to do so. His talent caught the eye of McLaren’s Ron Dennis at the 1995 Autosport Awards, where a bold young Lewis declared his ambition to race for McLaren. Three years later, at thirteen, he joined the McLaren-Mercedes Young Driver Programme, balancing school with karting success, including European and World Karting Championships. By 2001, he progressed to car racing, dominating the Formula Renault UK series in 2003, Formula 3 Euro Series in 2005, and GP2 Series in 2006.

His Formula One debut came in 2007 with McLaren, where he finished third at the Australian Grand Prix, becoming the first Black driver in F1. In 2008, at age twenty-three, he clinched his first world championship, the youngest champion at the time. Joining Mercedes in 2013, Hamilton’s dominance peaked, winning six more championships from 2014 to 2020, tying Michael Schumacher’s record of seven. His move to Ferrari for 2025 marks a new chapter, following a 2024 season highlighted by a record ninth British Grand Prix win. Hamilton’s consistency, particularly in wet conditions, and minimal mistakes have earned praise from figures like Ross Brawn and Martin Brundle, cementing his status as a complete driver.

Accolades

Hamilton’s trophy cabinet is unparalleled in Formula One history. He holds a joint-record seven World Drivers’ Championships (2008, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020), matching Schumacher. His 105 race wins, 104 pole positions, and 202 podium finishes are all-time records. Hamilton’s 2008 title made him the first Black driver to top F1 rankings and the first British champion since Damon Hill in 1996.

He set a record for most wins in a single season without securing the championship in 2016 and holds the longest streak of consecutive point-scoring races (33) from 2017 to 2018. Beyond racing, he was knighted in 2021 for his contributions to motorsport, recognized for his advocacy for diversity, and praised for his influence in fashion and culture.