He’s living life in the fast lane but even sometimes Lewis Hamilton likes to take a back seat from the helter-skelter pace of the Formula One world.

The Mercedes driver shared a flashback moment with his Instagram followers on Tuesday when he posted a picture of himself as a little child.

Accompanied with a smiley face emoji, the Brit can be seen all smiles on a beach.

Lewis Hamilton shared this picture of himself as a young child with his Instagram followers on Tuesday

Fast-forward to the present day and Hamilton is in a happy place once more as he closes in on a third Formula One title.

The 30-year-old moved 48 points clear at the top of the Drivers’ World Championship on Sunday after his virtuoso victory at the Japanese Grand Prix – where he led every lap en route to his eighth victory of the season.

 

The Stevenage-born racer is bidding to become the first British driver to secure back-to-back championships and he believes he is in the form of his life – both on and off the track – to achieve that.

See more of the latest Lewis Hamilton news, videos and Instagram photos

‘Every weekend I’ve got to perform because every weekend is another chance for the others to get one on me, or get more points than me,’ he said.

‘I’ve got to bring my A-game every time, and I’m surprising myself how I’m bringing it each weekend.

‘I’m having lots of fun outside the car and when I get in it I’m driving better than ever. It’s hard to get the balance of life but I’ve got a mega balance now. It’s awesome and it couldn’t be better. I’m having the most fun outside and the most fun inside.’

Lewis Hamilton believes he is in the form of his life as he closes in on a third Formula One title

Hamilton moved 48 points clear of Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg after his emphatic victory in Japan