Before the 2022 Formula 1 season began, Lewis Hamilton announced plans to change his name to incorporate his mother’s maiden name.
In front of a crowd at the 2022 Dubai Expo, the week before the 2022 Formula 1 season began at Bahrain International Circuit this past Sunday, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton announced that he planned to add his mother’s maiden name to his name.
He is set to officially make the change at some point in the near future, though he didn’t specify when, exactly, it will happen.
His mother’s name is Carmen Larbalestier. She and his father, Anthony Hamilton, separated when he was young. Since then, both remarried, and Carmen has taken the name Lockhart, the surname of her second husband.
Here is what Hamilton had to say about his decision to add the name Larbalestier to his name, noting that he doesn’t quite understand why the woman’s name generally gets dropped in a marriage.
"“It would mean the world to my family [to win an eighth world championship]. It would mean a lot to me knowing that, for example, I am really proud of my family’s name, Hamilton. None of you might know that my mum’s name is Larbalestier, and I am just about to put that in my name. I don’t fully understand the whole idea that when people get married the woman loses their name, and I really want my mum’s name to continue on with the Hamilton name.”"
Hamilton hasn’t confirmed how, exactly, he plans to incorporate the name Larbalestier into his, though the most likely option would seem to be Lewis Hamilton-Larbalestier.
But while Hamilton still plans to make this name change, it was revealed during the broadcast of Sunday’s Bahrain Grand Prix by the Sky Sports F1 broadcast team that one thing will not change.
He still plans to race under the name Lewis Hamilton, just as he has throughout his career.
Hamilton is making his second attempt at becoming the first ever eight-time Formula 1 world champion this year after narrowly missing out last year. The sport’s all-time winningest driver is in his 16th season overall and 10th with Mercedes.
The 103-time race winner finished in third place in the season opener, and his 183rd career podium finish came as somewhat of a surprise. It had looked as though he would finish in fifth before both Red Bulls dropped out of contention late and were forced to retire from second and fourth.