The five important influences that help Hamilton's F1 push

Lewis Hamilton will have his sights set on a record-breaking eighth F1 Drivers' title when racing gets underway at the Bahrain Grand Prix in March.

The Mercedes driver has established himself among the greats of F1 - arguably the greatest - across a stunning career that began in 2007 with McLaren - surpassing the 100 mark for wins and poles.

So ahead of what could be a historic year, we take a look at the influential people alongside the Briton.

Anthony Hamilton

Father Anthony has been a key figure in Hamilton's career and remains alongside to this day.

Having worked multiple jobs to help fund his early karting exploits, Hamilton Sr remained with his son as a manager throughout his early F1 career.

Whilst that professional relationship no longer exists, the familial bond remains an important factor for the seven-time champion - any doubts over that expelled by the pictures in the aftermath of the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

What Hamilton said...

"I think probably every parent wants the best for their kids," he told PEOPLE.

"My dad, he never went out. He never had new clothes. He wasn't saving up to buy anything new. Everything — remortgaging the house multiple times — went into go-karting, which sounds crazy. It is crazy, but he believed so much in me."

"He's the real hero, but obviously I'm the one that gets to stand on top of the podium at the end."

Carmen Larbalestier

Hamilton's parents divorced whilst he was a child but relations with his mother Carmen Larbalestier have remained strong.

Whilst Anthony was alongside for much of his karting exploits, Carmen has been present at key races across Hamilton's career and the bond is such that the Mercedes driver indicated in 2022 he would change his name legally to include his mother's maiden name and continue her legacy.

What Hamilton said...

"I'm 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 idea that when people get married the woman loses their name. I really want my mum to continue on with the Hamilton name."

Toto Wolff

Mercedes Team Principal and CEO Toto Wolff has been an instrumental part of Hamilton's success in the past decade having been at the helm since 2014.

But alongside success on the track, both Wolff and Hamilton have spoken of their friendship away from the race circuit and that can be seen in the freedoms given to the driver.

Together, a number of critical initiatives have been kickstarted - not least Hamilton's push for greater equality and inclusion that has led to a change of livery for the 'Silver Arrows'.

The relationship is developing into one that suggests when one goes, the other may follow - such is the bond.

What Hamilton said...

“Toto is one of my best friends.

“We’ve had tough, tough times, we’ve had tough negotiations, there’s been emotional bursts, a rollercoaster of emotions together over the years, but we’re like family.

“I want what’s best for him. He wants what is best for me.

“We always can jump on the phone and talk about whatever that is. Our values are aligned and our goals are aligned – in the brand, in helping this team grow and what it wants to achieve.

Peter Bonnington

'Bono' has been an ever-present alongside Hamilton as his race engineer.

He is the calming voice at the end of the radio in times of hardship, a motivating voice when needed and also the voice of praise after Hamilton has produced magic.

'Hammer time' was often the catchphrase that pre-empted lightning laps from the Briton to leapfrog rivals in pit-stop phases and generally, Bonnington is the most important person in Hamilton's entourage across a race weekend.

What Hamilton said...

“We’ve had an amazing journey together, we’ve supported each other on and off-track, through good and bad times, and I love working with Bono; he’s like a brother to me, a brother from another mother.

“I think he’s probably one of the few people that can truly stand me, I would say, on the good and bad days – except for Roscoe [Hamilton's dog] – and how calm he’s able to be throughout a race, and how he’s able to help guide and help me navigate through a race. I don’t think there’s many people that can do that.”

Marc Hynes

A return for Marc Hynes as Hamilton's right-hand man has been confirmed ahead of the upcoming season with focus fully over on-track activities.

Hynes - who is the Briton's long-time friend - was alongside Hamilton for most of his successes at Mercedes before leaving to turn attention to personal matters ahead of the 2021 season.

But the duo are back together ahead of the new season which will no doubt bring stability back to Hamilton's regime - with the added bonus of retaining a relationship with Penni Thow.