Lewis Hamilton says he is changing his SURNAME in tribute to his mother

British F1 superstar Lewis Hamilton has announced that he is changing his surname to include his mother’s maiden name because he doesn’t ‘really fully understand the whole idea that when people get married the woman loses her name’.

The seven time world champion said he intends to incorporate his mother Carmen’s maiden name Larbalestier alongside Hamilton.

Speaking ahead of the new Formula One season which starts in Bahrain on Sunday, Hamilton, 37, said: ‘I am really proud of my family’s name. My mum’s name is Larbalestier and I am just about to put that in my name.

‘I don’t really fully understand the whole idea that when people get married the woman loses her name and I really want my mum’s name to continue on with the Hamilton name.’

Asked when he anticipated the change would take place, Hamilton replied: ‘Hopefully soon. We are working on it.’

Hamilton’s parents separated when he was two. In a sign of the pair’s close bond, he invited his mother Carmen to watch him receive his knighthood from Prince Charles at Windsor Castle in December. 

Until now Lewis had used only his father Anthony’s surname but this will soon change

According to House of Names, the Larbalestier name comes from Devon where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. The site tells how the Saxon influence of English history diminished after the Battle of Hastings in 1066.

It adds: ‘The language of the courts was French for the next three centuries and the Norman ambience prevailed. But Saxon surnames survived and the family name was first referenced in the 13th century in Devon.’

Hamilton, easily F1’s most famous face, has made a series of public political statements in recent times. At the Qatar Grand Prix in November last year, he wore a rainbow helmet in solidarity with the LGBT community in the repressive Middle East country. Hamilton had demanded ‘scrutiny’ in Qatar, branding it ‘one of the worst’ for human rights. 

As the Black Lives Matter protests broke out across the West in 2020, Hamilton stressed the importance of ‘taking the knee’ and demanded that F1 and its governing body the FIA do more to tackle racial equality in the sport.

He singled out Romain Grosjean, former director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, for failing to convince the grid to be united on the subject of taking a knee.

Hamilton has also worn a number of controversial shirts, including one with the message ‘actions speak louder than words’ and another saying ‘Arrest the cops who killed Breonna Taylor’ – in reference to the black woman who was killed by police in Kentucky.

Hamilton claims he was ‘built for this’ fight against racial prejudice and vows to make matters better for other black youngsters across the world.

The F1 ace is gearing up for his 16th season on the grid and bidding to avenge last year’s contentions championship defeat to Red Bull rival Max Verstappen.

But following last week’s final test, Hamilton said he feared Mercedes were behind Red Bull and Ferrari in the pecking order and that his car would not be quick enough to fight for victories. 

‘Bahrain is going to be tough,’ added Hamilton, who was speaking at Dubai Expo 2020 on Monday. 

Lewis Hamilton said today ‘I really want mum’s name to continue on with the Hamilton name’

George Russell, Mercedes, AMG F1 and team mate Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, AMG F1

‘I am really hoping that when I get on the call this evening – with my team at Brackley and Brixworth – they have found some tricks and ways to extract more from this car.

‘There were a lot of cars that looked fast in testing. Alfa Romeo looked fast, Valtteri (Bottas) looked quick, and obviously the Red Bull looked ridiculously fast – but we are the best team.’

Born Lewis Carl Davidson Hamilton, Hamilton grew up in the Hertfordshire town of Stevenage to parents Anthony and Carmen. 

Hamilton’s parents separated when he was two, after which he lived with his mother and older half-sisters, Samantha and Nicola, until he was twelve. 

Hamilton then lived with his father, stepmother Linda, and his half-brother, who is a professional racing driver in the British Touring Car Championship.

His father bought him his first go-kart when he was six and took redundancy from his IT job, working jobs as a contractor, to support his son’s racing career.

Hamilton quickly began winning races and cadet class championships and became the youngest driver to win the British cadet karting championship at the age of ten.