'Lewis would always win - he would never let me have it easy'
Nicolas Hamilton explains what it was like growing up with the three-times Formula One world champion
Lewis was not born the best; he has created himself. He had to learn just like everyone else. But he was so good at applying himself and learning from his mistakes.
He always knuckled down when it mattered.It was the same when we were growing up. Motor racing was my life - I was pretty much born at a racetrack. At the time it was following Lewis, seeing how he does things, supporting him, and being a family together.
I have always been his number one fan, and he is the best Formula One driver in the world right now. We are there for each other, but understand our boundaries.But that does not mean that as my older brother he went easy on me.
At the time, when you are a little kid trying your best to cope with cerebral palsy, playing basketball or running around, it was hard to handle.Lewis would always win. He would never let me have it easy, and my family never did.
It made me stronger. I only have my parents and Lewis to thank for that. And part of that meant he hated losing more than anything. He still does.We used to play motor racing games, and whenever he lost he tried to make it out like he was not fussed. Yet we both knew deep down he hated it.It is not just to me, it is to anyone.
That is why he is such a good driver. To be a successful racing driver you have to be selfish, and not really care about anyone else. You want to win, you put yourself in a position to win, and that is how Lewis has always been.Whatever it is - even a game of ping pong - he has always had that fight to win.
He never thinks losing is possible. But when he does lose, he has had to learn to deal with it. And as he has matured, he has come to deal with it better. It is that hatred of losing combined with how he is which makes him so successful.Lewis has always been an adrenalin junkie. He was always the crazy one.
He wanted to do the most dangerous things. He has no fear, and that is what makes him so strong.
It means he can take risks others would not normally take. You have to be that type of person to take that extra risk to get an extra tenth of a second and come out on top. I have seen it all the way through.
He has always been mischievous.Fortunately for Lewis he has not had to do much losing this year, which is why Nico Rosberg’s run in the last three races of the season was all the more impressive. It takes a lot to beat Lewis in his prime.
Lewis and Nico were great friends growing up. The fact they are so competitive is really affecting their relationship, and everyone can see that. But it would be a great shame if Mercedes were to split them up.
Having that rivalry and the tension, it gets the best out of them. I think it is all positive for Mercedes. You do not want to see two drivers who are not bothered about losing.
But across the season Lewis has seemed much more relaxed and calm than in his first two championships. It is almost like he had all his ducks in a line. He has been working with Mercedes for a few years now and has made those relationships with the mechanics so strong. They understand each other.When Lewis and Mercedes tick, it is unstoppable.
People say it has been easy for him, but they do not realise the amount of time and effort he put in to get here. It is so nice to see Lewis happy where he is, because when he is happy he thrives off others and tries to make the team as strong as possible.
Does he get enough recognition for this? I am not sure. Everyone has their opinion on him and how he goes about it.
He gets plenty of recognition for his achievements, but not everyone understands the full story, where the Hamilton family have come from, originating from Grenada and growing up in a two-bedroom flat.
We were nothing to do with motorsport and yet we have produced one of the best racing drivers for a long time.It is also the fact he has got this different lifestyle which people seem to make a lot of. He gets out of the car and flies around the world.
People see that life as his motorsport career, but they should separate the two.Lewis is a different character to most. If you look at someone such as Sebastian Vettel, he is incredibly dedicated, massively talented, but you do not see much of his life outside motorsport. Whereas with Lewis, you do, and it looks like he is not focusing on Formula One when he is, 100 per cent.
The life outside helps him. Hanging with people he has always wanted to hang with and look up to: Will Smith and the like.
He has always wanted to do that, and now he has got the opportunity. I do not blame him. As long as he keeps his feet on the ground, and focused on his motorsport, because that is what he is, a racing driver, then I do not think he has any issues.
No one can really say anything because he might fly out and hang with Will Smith, but he will come back and win. That is the fine balance he has struck this year.Nicolas Hamilton was talking to Daniel Johnson
-The Daily Telegraph·