Lewis Hamilton speaks at Expo 2020 Dubai on Monday. AFP

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Formula 1 star Lewis Hamilton has announced he is in the process of changing his name to include his mother's surname - Larbalestier.

The Mercedes driver, who is about to begin a new season at Sakhir track in Bahrain this weekend, said he was making the change to honour his mother, according to Skysports news.

"My mum's name is Larbalestier and I'm just about to put that in my name," the seven-time F1 champion said in an on-stage interview at the Expo 2020 Dubai.

"Because I don't really fully understand the whole idea when people get married then the woman loses her name.

"And my mum, I really want her name to continue on with the Hamilton name."

Larbalastier divorced Lewis's father, Anthony Hamilton, when their son was young but he lived with his mother until the age of 12.

The Briton, who was pipped to his eighth world title at last year's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, was non-committal about his future, saying he was taking it "one day at a time".

But Hamilton, who took a two-month break from social media before reappearing in February, added: "I've come back to fight for that eighth (title), that's what I'm here for."

The Mercedes ace took his mum with him to receive his knighthood from Prince Charles at Windsor Castle in December.

Hamilton is getting ready for his 16th season, hoping to go one better after a controversial defeat to Red Bull rival Max Verstappen in the 2021 drivers' championship.