Lewis Hamilton in Dubai: Formula One star shares video of daring solo skydiving stunt

The seven-time motor racing champion said he's been practising for a couple of years

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain prior to the start of the Monaco Grand Prix at the Monaco racetrack, in Monaco, Sunday, May 23, 2021. AP Photo

Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton gestures after winning the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir on November 29, 2020. AFP

Lewis Hamilton, right, stands on the podium after the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit on December 13, 2020. AFP

Lewis Hamilton celebrates on the podium after winning the Turkish Formula One Grand Prix at the Intercity Istanbul Park circuit in Istanbul on November 15, 2020. AFP

Lewis Hamilton points at the name of late Formula One legend Niki Lauda on his helmet after winning the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix at the Monaco street circuit on May 26, 2019 in Monaco. AFP

Winner Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP celebrates in parc ferme during the F1 Grand Prix of China at Shanghai International Circuit on April 14, 2019 in Shanghai, China. Getty Images

Winner Mercedes' Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas celebrates next to second placed Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton during the podium ceremony after the Formula One Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku on April 28, 2019. AFP

Lewis Hamilton driving the (44) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team Mercedes W10 with a broken front wing after crashing during the F1 Grand Prix of Germany at Hockenheimring on July 28, 2019. Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton celebrates with fans after the F1 Grand Prix of Great Britain at Silverstone on July 14, 2019 in Northampton, England. Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton celebrates in parc ferme during the F1 Grand Prix of Canada at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on June 09, 2019 in Montreal. AFP

Lewis Hamilton celebrates in parc ferme during the F1 Grand Prix of Russia at Sochi Autodrom on September 29, 2019. Getty Images

2019 Formula One World Drivers Champion Lewis Hamilton celebrates after the F1 Grand Prix of USA at Circuit of The Americas on November 03, 2019 in Austin, Texas. AFP

Lewis Hamilton collects his trophy on the podium during the F1 Grand Prix of Belgium at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on September 01, 2019. Getty Images

Third placed Lewis Hamilton looks on, on the podium during the F1 Grand Prix of Japan at Suzuka Circuit on October 13, 2019. Getty Images

Race winner Lewis Hamilton celebrates on the podium during the F1 Grand Prix of France at Circuit Paul Ricard on June 23, 2019. Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton driving the (44) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team Mercedes W10 on track during the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 30, 2019. Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton driving the (44) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team Mercedes W10 on track during the F1 Grand Prix of Singapore at Marina Bay Street Circuit on September 22, 2019. Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton celebrates at the podium after winning the F1 Mexico Grand Prix, at the Hermanos Rodriguez racetrack in Mexico City on October 27, 2019. AFP

Lewis Hamilton celebrates with fans after the F1 Grand Prix of Hungary at Hungaroring on August 04, 2019. Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton receives the second place trophy at The Australian Formula One Grand Prix on March 17, 2019, at The Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit. Speed Media/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Formula One star Lewis Hamilton, known for his love of extreme sports, has shared a video of himself displaying his skydiving skills in a daring solo jump off a SkyDive Dubai plane.

In a clip posted to Instagram on Sunday, the British racing driver, 36, can be seen jumping off a plane over the Dubai desert unassisted. He performs a number of flips and manoeuvres as the cameraman, who seems to be his instructor, appears to guide him.

Hamilton then salutes to the camera before releasing his parachute.

"I've been learning to skydive over the past couple of years. It's one of my favourite things to do in my spare time," the seven-time champion posted along with the video on Instagram.

"This is me trying for the first time flying on my back, which I was useless at. After this, I went to spend time in the wind tunnel to practice. I'll post that next to show you my progression."

It is not clear when the footage was taken.

This isn't the first time Hamilton has posted a skydiving video. Earlier in 2019, he shared a clip of himself performing aerial stunts, also solo, in Qatar.

"This is my favourite thing to do currently," he wrote at the time. "The reason I skydive is I love that there are really no limits in free fall. It’s incredible to just let your mind free, remove all doubt and any insecurities you may be feeling in life and jump.

"I think in life many of us don't take that leap because of fear, something of which holds us back from greatness," he said. "Don't let fear dictate your life. You can do anything you put your mind to, I truly believe that."

Hamilton, who has said surfing is his second favourite sport after skydiving, has spoken in the past about how his thrill-seeking activities have been a concern for his family and Formula One team.

"My family give me stick all the time about my extreme sports," he told The Sun in 2017. "I have a responsibility to my team and sponsors who work hard – I would not jeopardise that. F1 means too much to me, there's a very big difference between having fun and taking unnecessary risks."

Hamilton finished seventh at the Monaco Grand Prix last week, leaving Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen to lead the world championship for the first time this season.

______________

Read more: 

______________