Alexandre
This February 2025, Lewis Hamiltonthe world champion of F1 seven times, firmly answered questions about his age and career in an exclusive interview with Time Magazine. The 40-year-old recently left Mercedes to join Scuderia Ferrari, comparisons with younger pilots began to emerge, particularly after the statements made by his former boss at Mercedes, Toto Wolff. Hamilton, more determined than ever, responded with palpable verve: "Never compare me to anyone else.
When asked about his age, Hamilton sets the record straight. According to him, he is "built differently" and "cannot be compared to any other F1 driver, past or present", even those of his own generation. For him, the key to his success lies in his mindset, his hunger for victory and his unique background.
Don't ever compare me to anyone else. I'm the first and only black driver in this sport. I'm built differently. I've been through a lot. I've had my own path. You can't compare me to any other 40-year-old Formula 1 driver, past or present, in history. Because they have nothing to do with me. I'm hungry, I'm motivated, I don't have a wife or kids. I'm focused on one thing: winning. That's my number 1 priority. Lewis Hamilton
This echoes his reflections on his passage to the Scuderia Ferrari, a team with a legendary history, but which hasn't won a championship title in over 15 years. "I went to Ferrari for a dream, a real dream. It's a challenge, but I'm up for it, explains Hamilton. His arrival came as a surprise to many observers, who wondered whether Ferrari was primarily seeking to capitalize on the athlete's media aura rather than maximize his chances of winning titles. But Hamilton dismisses such speculation out of hand: "People compare me to Tom Brady and LeBron James, athletes who triumphed in their forties. That doesn't bother me. I know who I am, and I'm far from finished.
At the age of 40, some critics doubt his ability to win an eighth world title. But for Hamilton, every challenge is a new opportunity. He sees the situation as an exciting adventure, and even declares that the joy he feels when he puts on his Ferrari suit is "incredible". More than just a move to a new team, this transfer to Ferrari seems to be a way for him to reinvent himself and turn a new page in his career.
Hamilton's gaze remains fixed on a precise objective: to beat Michael Schumacher's record and offer Ferrari the long-awaited title. "I'm highly motivated, and I don't think my age is an obstacle. F1 is a question of spirit and determination," he stresses. What sets him apart from the majority of younger drivers is his ability to concentrate on the essentials and ignore outside distractions. While rumors abound about Ferrari's future in F1, Hamilton remains unshaken in his conviction that he has what it takes to break the team's long drought and eventually win his eighth title.
Read the full interview on TIME website.