Sir Lewis Hamilton has spoken passionately about how his childhood playing football in the streets led to his bid to help buy Chelsea from Roman Abramovich.
Along with Serena Williams, Hamilton is pouring millions of pounds of his own money into one of the competing bids to buy the club, in a consortium headed by Sir Martin Broughton.
The seven-time Formula One champion is an Arsenal fan but gave an insight into his family connection with the Blues, with his uncle Terry a devoted follower of the club.
“I’ve been a football fan since I was a kid, I played from the age of four to 17 in teams every year,” he said ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix on Friday.
“I played every year through childhood and I’ve been to numerous games. When I was young, I used to play football as a kid around the corner and I really wanted to fit in. I was the only kid of colour there.
“All the kids supported someone different and I remember switching between these teams and when I’d get home my sister would basically beat me, saying you have to support Arsenal.
“At five, six years old I supported Arsenal but my uncle Terry is a big Blues fan, so I’ve been to so many games with him to watch Chelsea and Arsenal play. Ultimately, I’m a sporting fan - it’s the biggest sport in the world and Chelsea are one of the biggest clubs in the world and most successful.
“When I heard about this I thought, ‘Wow’. This is one of the greatest opportunities to be a part of, so great.”
Hamilton also explained how his involvement with tennis superstar Williams came about.
“We did speak about it, we were constantly in touch,” he said. “She’s a phenomanel athlete and woman. We spoke about it and she asked me my thoughts and I told her I’d be a part of it, and she was exicted to join.
“We were contacted and Sir Martin took time to speak to me on the phone and explain his and his team’s goals if they were to win the bid, which was incredibly exciting and it very much aligned with my values.
“As a kid, I remember collecting all the stickers, when you’d go to the store and get the books to trade the cards - for pennies, sweets…
“When I was younger I was trying to be the best player I could be and actually play for a team, trying out for Stevenage, but I ended up following racing. I could have only ever dreamed being a part of the team so that for me is the most exciting thing.”
