Before becoming one of F1’s most successful drivers, Lewis Hamilton had different aspirations for his future. The Stevenage-born driver wanted to become a professional soccer player for good measure. During his school days, the 7x world champion used to play alongside former Manchester United player Ashley Young. As per a biography by Frank Worrall, the British driver claimed he was faster than Young, a soccer player famous for his pace.
In his prime, Ashley Young was considered one of the fastest players in the English Premier League. Sir Alex Ferguson, former manager of Manchester United, signed Young based on his ball-playing abilities and his tormenting pace on the field. Hence, the former Aston Villa vice-captain became a Manchester United player in 2011.
Fergie’s comments aside, Hamilton, who on his day is much faster than anyone on the F1 track, also believed he was faster than a Premier League player on the football pitch.
Lewis Hamilton was once an aspiring soccer player
Lewis Hamilton and Ashley Young went to the same school when they were kids. Both men shared a passion for soccer, playing alongside each other on the school team. Hamilton played midfield, while Young started his career as a winger, eventually shifting to full back. During their playing days together, Hamilton believed he was the faster of the two. This was 10 years before Hamilton finally made his F1 debut for McLaren, in the 2007 season.
“I was quicker than Ashley Young, stronger than him– so I had that with me.”
While claiming he was faster than the current Everton player, Hamilton credited him for his abilities with the ball. He stated that Young had excellent control over the ball. He was skillful, neat, and could easily dribble the ball around any player, says Hamilton. Soon after realizing his immense potential in the racing world, Hamilton stepped back from soccer to focus on motorsports.
Hamilton was always meant to be a racing driver
A young Hamilton may have loved soccer to his core, but it was never meant to be his calling. It was in motorsports where the Stevenage-born driver’s real heart lay, and once he figured it out, there was no stopping him.
Hamilton dominated his opponents during his junior racing career, winning multiple. Karting, Formula Renault, Formula Three, and GP2, Hamilton dominated it all when he got the chance. When he won the GP2 championship in 2006, it coincided with a vacancy in McLaren alongside reigning two time champion Fernando Alonso, and the team signed him as their second driver.
Hamilton has not looked back since, winning a record-equaling seven world titles. Not only is he regarded as one of F1’s finest, but many also consider him to be the best British-born athlete ever.
