Hamilton wants to work with FIA to help future generations

Five-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton says he intends to work with the FIA to help future generations carve out a career in the sport.

Following his latest title triumph at the Mexican Grand Prix, Hamilton admitted he is worried about aspiring racing drivers not having a platform to fall back on should they not be successful in making a career out of motorsport, due to compromising their education.

The Briton, who has become just the third driver in F1 history to win five or more world championships, now wants to help youngsters coming through the junior ranks and revealed he plans to speak with FIA president Jean Todt regarding the matter.

“I just want to keep on driving hard and keep encouraging kids,” Hamilton explained.

“Hopefully I’m going to meet with Jean [Todt] at some stage, because I feel there is some positive impact that we can have on young kids that are at school for example.

“Because a lot of kids that are racing don’t have an education, don’t get an education. I would say it’s over 50% probably.

“I’m just guessing there, but parents take the kids out of school to focus on trying to get that ultimate and then when it doesn’t happen you fall flat on your back.

“If I have any impact on this sport – obviously winning a championship is a great thing – but hopefully I can work on that with Jean, so that with these kids, even if they don’t make it to Formula 1, or as another racing driver, they can be an engineer.

“There are thousands of people within these teams, there are so many opportunities within all these organisations, so that’s something I want to get involved in.”

Hamilton, whose well-documented interests outside of F1 include dipping into the music industry and collaborating with fashion and lifestyle brand Tommy Hilfiger, says he wants to be remembered as more than just a racing driver.

“Racing is at the core of everything that I do and naturally I am always going to be remembered as a racing driver, but this great sport and this great opportunity that I have had has created a great foundation and an opportunity for me to do other things,” he added.

“I’ve always been one to want to have some positive impact; I don’t want to be just taking, taking, taking. I want to be doing some positive things for the future.

“Whether it’s helping some kids getting through school, getting through difficult times, whether it’s building a school, whether it’s encouraging education, whether it’s just helping people get through difficult times.

“It’s kind of difficult to put it into words but naturally I don’t want my time on earth to mean nothing. You want to know that your time was spent well and you didn’t squander it. And that’s my goal.”