Seven-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton didn’t hold back at Interlagos, openly criticizing former F1 drivers for “talking smack” about the series’ rising young stars. The Ferrari driver made it crystal clear he’s determined not to become “that type of driver” himself, a stance he’s apparently held throughout his illustrious career.
Hamilton’s Blistering Take On The Old Guard
Hamilton’s comments came when he was asked if Kimi Antonelli’s recent title success had made him reflect on his own journey. Antonelli, who Mercedes signed after Hamilton moved to Ferrari in 2025, just became F1’s youngest world champion in only his second season. But instead of focusing on his own past, Hamilton turned the spotlight on the veterans.
“I see a lot of these ex-Formula 1 drivers, older Formula 1 drivers, racing drivers just talking smack about young people all the time,” Hamilton stated. He pointed out the frustrating lack of “empathy” from these former racers, especially since they’ve “been through something similar themselves.” It’s a bold call-out, coming from the 41-year-old who just hit his 400th Grand Prix start in Sao Paulo, and it shows where his priorities lie: championing the next generation.
The Young Guns Are Earning Their Stripes
Hamilton isn’t just talking about Antonelli. He says he’s seriously impressed by young drivers across the entire field. He sees them “showing up every single week with all the pressures that they have,” acknowledging the unique privilege but also the “massive challenges” involved in simply arriving, keeping your head up, failing, and getting back up.
F1, as Hamilton rightly puts it, “is the pinnacle of motorsport. It is the hardest platform to do well in. It’s so easy to make mistakes.” That’s why he respects how each young driver keeps “getting up and picking up and just continuing to push.” The proof is in the results: Antonelli didn’t just win the title, he racked up nine Grand Prix victories and 16 podiums. And he’s not alone. Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar, at just 22, secured three podium finishes in his own second season. These kids are legit, and Hamilton is here for it.
Hamilton’s message is loud and clear: respect the grind, embrace the new talent, and leave the “smack talk” in the past. It’s a powerful statement from one of the sport’s all-time greats, and it sets a high bar for how F1’s veterans should be supporting the future of the sport.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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