Former seven-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton says he “welcomes the negativity” and feels “no need to reply to the older, ultimately, white men” who have criticised his move to Ferrari ahead of the upcoming F1 season.
Hamilton completed a sensational move away from Mercedes — where he won six of his seven world titles — to the Scuderia last year, signing a two-year deal that will see him race for the grand old Italian team at least till the end of the 2026 season starting this year. Among those who questioned the move were former team owner Eddie Jordan, and former FIA chief Bernie Ecclestone.
Jordan went far enough to describe Ferrari’s decision to replace the 30-year-old Spanish driver Carlos Sainz with Hamilton, who turned 40 in January, as “absolutely suicidal.”
Hamilton dismissed the notion. “I’ve always welcomed the negativity. I never, ever reply to any of the older, ultimately, white men who have commented on my career and what they think I should be doing. How you show up, how you present yourself, how you perform slowly dispels that,” he said in an interview with TIME magazine.
The Briton asserted that the opportunity to drive in the famous red car has rejuvenated his spirits for F1 racing and he is chasing a record-breaking eighth world title — he is currently tied with Michael Schumacher at seven — in his 19th season competing in the sport as the season kicks off in Australia on March 16.
“Don’t ever compare me to anybody else,” he said. “I’m the first and only Black driver that’s ever been in this sport. I’m built different. I’ve been through a lot. I’ve had my own journey. You can’t compare me to another 40-year-old, past or present, Formula One driver in history. Because they are nothing like me. I’m hungry, driven, don’t have a wife and kids. I’m focused on one thing, and that’s winning. That’s my No 1 priority.”