Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time Formula One champion, has declared that he will change his surname to incorporate his mother’s maiden name because he “just does not really grasp the whole idea that when people get married, the woman loses her identity.”
Along with Hamilton, the F1 star plans to incorporate his mother Carmen’s maiden name, Larbalestier.
‘I am incredibly proud of my family’s name,’ Hamilton, 37, said ahead of the new Formula One season, which begins on Sunday in Bahrain. My mother’s surname is Larbalestier, and I’m preparing to adopt it.
‘I’m not sure how I feel about the idea that when people marry, the lady loses her name, and I really want my mother’s name to live on.’
When asked when he thought the shift would happen, Hamilton said, ‘Hopefully soon.’ We’re working on it right now.’
Hamilton was born Lewis Carl Davidson Hamilton to Anthony and Carmen Hamilton in the Hertfordshire town of Stevenage.
Hamilton’s parents divorced when he was two, and he spent the next twelve years of his life with his mother and elder half-sisters, Samantha and Nicola.