HONG KONG, June 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- He is racing's biggest name and one of the fastest drivers of our generation. This month, CNN Beijing correspondent Matt Rivers sits down with Formula One favorite Lewis Hamilton as he meets his fans in China. The three-time world champion talks about the challenges of being the first black driver in F1, why he credits his family for his success and what he says to his critics. CNN then heads to the go-karting track in Beijing with Hamilton and then follows him to Chengdu in southwestern China to tour the iconic panda sanctuary.
Highlights from the 30-minute show:
On his upbringing:
"I mean in the driving side, that's definitely, that hunger of coming from where we came from, being on the race track just like this, but pretty much every other driver that I was racing against, had you know, better equipment, more money to be able to spend on it, and it was just me and my dad. And, also at the beginning we weren't really welcomed so just gave me more fighting spirit. And I carry that into my racing today, I still, when I am racing in my Formula One car today, what keeps me motivated is I think in my back of my mind just how hard my parents worked. My dad having four jobs, my step mom giving up all of her money, every bit of her income went into my racing so that's a huge commitment for, for particularly, for a woman who is coming in and that's not actually your son, to devote your life and your earnings, your hard work to help a youngster go somewhere. It's quite incredible, so when I get into the car today, I don't take it for granted."
On his critics:
"I mean I don't really have much to say to critics, I mean, I respect that they have a job and also I respect that they only have a certain amount of information and unfortunately, perhaps not always the most crucial information, but all I can say is look at my results. My results speak to themselves. I think, you know, what we've done to get to Formula One and what we've achieved in Formula One I think is great and for me, it doesn't matter what you say about me. It's not going to stop me from racing, it's not going to stop me from being who I want to be and who I am. It's not going to, your words cannot penetrate me the slightest, so continue to write what you do, good or bad news is good news, so it doesn't bother me."
On the future:
"I'm very much into fashion, I love acting, I don't know if I'm actually any good at it, I love music... and kids are really for me, at the, really at the deep-rooted heart for me. So I think kids are the future so I want to do something with kids. Whether it's underprivileged kids in certain rural areas, for example like here, who won't have, perhaps won't have the chance to get out to do something spectacular, whether it's in sport or whatever it is, education I think is a huge, huge area that needs to be attacked around the world, particularly in third world countries. So, I want to get involved in that, you know, dedicate my time to making a difference. Racing, I don't feel like I'm particularly making a difference in a sport. Of course, it is, and I feel like I can make a difference in a sport, encouraging young kids, but I mean on a broader scale, outside for, not people who want to be racing drivers, more outside of the world. I feel like when I stop, when I'm at the Pearly Gates one day, I want to be able to say I helped these guys or I encouraged these guys to do something or I made, I was a part of something that helped the world, you know? It's cool to be able to give something back."
'Talk Asia' microsite: http://edition.cnn.com/specials/asia/talk-asia
'Talk Asia' Lewis Hamilton trailer: http://cnn.it/2tbMzDF
Airtimes for 30-minute special: Hong Kong, Beijing, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Singapore and Taipei
Thursday 29th June at 1630 HKT
Friday 30th June at 1130 HKT
Saturday 1st July at 1230 and 2330 HKT
Saturday 8th July at 1000 HKT
Saturday 15th July at 1000 HKT
Saturday 22nd July at 2030 HKT
Sunday 23rd July at 1230 HKT
Monday 24th July at 1100 HKT
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