Hamilton: How trip to Africa has transformed me
Seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton has disclosed that his trip to Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Namibia has left him a completely changed man. Taking to social media, the celebrated British racing driver stated that reconnecting with his roots was a surreal moment in his life.
"These past two weeks have been some of the best days of my entire life. I'm not the same man I was before this trip, all the beauty, love, and peacefulness I experienced has me feeling fully transformed," he wrote in part.
According to him, connecting to his ancestral home and his ancestors was such a monumental experience, adding that he now feels a very strong bond between himself and his ancestors than before.
"No amount of photos could capture how I'm feeling now and what I'm trying to say. Just know, where words fall short emotions run deep. I connected with my roots and my history and I feel my ancestors with me now stronger than I ever have before. Namibia, Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania thank you," he added.
Hamilton, who, according to The Sun publication, is the highest-paid driver on the grid, expressed gratitude to the people he encountered during his summer trip to East Africa.
"To the people here, the nature and the wildlife thank you. We were welcomed to each beautiful place we visited. We were treated like family. To my brothers who joined me on this journey, thank you. I know we'll be talking about this forever," he said.
The 37-year-old, who has dominated the Formula One World Championship for six of the last eight seasons while driving for Mercedes, was in particular impressed by the warm welcome he received among the Pokot people.
"I spent time with the Pokot people in Kenya and just to be in their presence was one thing... To be welcomed was something different entirely and a massive honour I don't take lightly. The way I felt here is how I feel with my family back at home. We are all family, anyway. I'll carry this experience, and all my other memories from Kenya and from this journey as a whole, in my heart forever," he said.