Why did Lewis Hamilton decide to change his name?

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At the beginning of 2022, Lewis Hamilton announced that he had started the necessary steps to change his name in honor of his mother. It is not yet known whether the change has been finalized, but the driver's intention is clear.

As is customary in the United Kingdom and many parts of the world, a newborn is typically given the father's surname. The seven-time world champion was no exception and took his father Anthony's surname at birth. His mother's surname, Carmen Larbalestier, was not included.

Lewis Hamilton's Story with His Mother

Growing up in Stevenage, Lewis Hamilton did not have an easy childhood. His family was not wealthy, and his father, Anthony, made significant sacrifices to support his dream of becoming an F1 driver.

Lewis Hamilton's mother, Carmen Larbalestier, was a constant and reassuring presence in his life. Despite their divorce when Lewis Hamilton was young, she continued to support him unconditionally.

Throughout Lewis Hamilton's career, his mother has been by his side during key moments. For instance, in 2016, during the final showdown in Abu Dhabi between Mercedes teammates, she was there to console him after losing the championship.

The British driver decided to modify his name to honor his mother and acknowledge everything she has done for him.

Lewis Hamilton's comments

In 2022, the Ferrari driver revealed his intention to change or extend his name by adding Larbalestier to Lewis Hamilton. However, three years later, it remains unclear whether the change has been officially made.

As of now, the FIA's official driver list still lists No. 44 simply as "Lewis Hamilton."

Lewis Hamilton has always been proud of his name but has questioned the tradition where women "lose" their names after marriage. The seven-time world champion stated: "I'm really proud of my family name: Hamilton. In fact, none of you might know my mother's name," he added. "It's Larbalestier, and I'm about to include it in my name. Because I truly don't quite understand the idea that when two people marry, the woman loses her name. I really want my mother's surname to continue alongside Hamilton," he concluded.

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