Hamilton ‘not fazed in the slightest’ by F1’s younger generation
Despite being the second-oldest Formula 1 driver on the 2020 grid, Lewis Hamilton doesn’t see the age factor as an additional challenge as he relishes the rise of the young guns coming through.
While Hamilton has spent almost his entire career battling Sebastian Vettel or drivers older than him, the recent changing of the guard has seen younger talents emerge at sharp-end including Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc (both 22) with many others showing impressive potential to follow in the same path like Carlos Sainz (25) and Lando Norris (20).
Despite being the second-oldest Formula 1 driver on the 2020 grid, Lewis Hamilton doesn’t see the age factor as an additional challenge as he relishes the rise of the young guns coming through.
While Hamilton has spent almost his entire career battling Sebastian Vettel or drivers older than him, the recent changing of the guard has seen younger talents emerge at sharp-end including Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc (both 22) with many others showing impressive potential to follow in the same path like Carlos Sainz (25) and Lando Norris (20).
Hamilton, who turns 35 before the start of the next F1 campaign, admits he feels different going into his 14th season in the sport but it won’t have a negative impact on his performance against his youthful rivals.
“I don’t feel it’s a big issue at the moment. I by no means feel old,” Hamilton said. “I feel super light on my feet and healthier than I’ve ever been if I’m being honest.
“Of course when I was 25-years-old I had age on my side a little bit more so then but I lacked the knowledge and experience that I have now, and that’s not something you can leapfrog. There’s no quick way to get to the experience and the knowledge that I have today.
“Each year I’m constantly looking at how I can be fitter, how I can be more focused, how I can have more energy, which all compliment my natural ability to do what I do.
“It doesn’t faze me in the slightest and I’m excited that there are these youngsters are coming. Every day is a school day and every day is a day to be schooled. I just continue to do what I do.”
While Hamilton is gradually rewriting the F1 record book for top honours, the six-time world champion has also moved into ninth place on the all-time F1 race starts list having celebrated his 250th GP at the 2019 finale in Abu Dhabi.
On the current grid only Kimi Raikkonen has more starts (312) with Hamilton still 72 races behind all-time leader Rubens Barrichello (322).
