Lewis Hamilton has announced he is in the process of changing his name to include his mother’s surname – Larbalestier.

The Formula 1 star, 37, who is about to begin a new season with Mercedes in Bahrain this weekend, said he was making the change to honour his mother.

Hamilton was speaking at the Dubai Expo when he revealed a name change is coming for one of the most famous British sports stars, as he questioned the tradition of women losing their surnames when they get married.

Hamilton’s parents, Anthony Hamilton and Carmen Larbalestier, divorced when Lewis was a toddler.

lton,” Hamilton said. “Actually none of you might know that my mum’s [sur]name is Larbalestier. And I’m just about to put that in my name. Because I don’t really fully understand the whole idea of why, when people get married, the woman loses her name. I really want her name to continue on with the Hamilton name.”

Hamilton’s mother Carmen Larbalestier, now Lockhart, separated from his father Anthony Hamilton when the future F1 world champion was two years old.

Hamilton mostly grew up with his father and stepmother Linda, and has frequently highlighted his family bond in recent years.

“It would mean the world to my family [to win an eighth title],” said Hamilton.