Lewis Hamilton has always been a vocal advocate for encouraging young talent in Formula 1, and his recent praise of rookies Franco Colapinto and Ollie Bearman demonstrates his commitment to fostering a positive atmosphere for newcomers.
After battling with both drivers during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Hamilton insisted on publicly recognizing their abilities, offering a stark contrast to the cold shoulder he received from most of his colleagues when he first joined the F1 grid with McLaren back in 2007.
Hamilton, who started from the pit lane in Baku and fought his way through the pack to finish in P9, found himself engaged in fierce battles with both Colapinto and Bearman, who were competing in only their second and third Formula 1 races, respectively.
After the race, Hamilton took to social media to express his admiration for the Williams and Haas apprentices, saying, “It was a great fight, and it’s amazing to see so much new talent coming in.”
Colapinto, in particular, was deeply moved by the gesture.
“Lewis to shake hands with you after a race was one of the most special moments I’ve had in my life,” the Argentine wrote on social media. “Really appreciate how much respect you showed. Really looking forward to meeting you back on track soon!”
Speaking to the media before last weekend’s race in Singapore, Hamilton elaborated on why he wanted to be so positive towards the newcomers.
“When I got to Formula 1, I don’t remember ever having a warm welcome from anyone except from Niki [Lauda], but he’s an ex-driver,” Hamilton recalled.
“Actually, it wasn’t even Niki at the time! I just remember what it was like being that young and having that experience and how tough it is.
“Now I’m seeing these two do such an amazing job. I’ve got both of them ahead of me at one point driving so well, not making mistakes, really talented but also [they] have really bright futures in front of them.
Hamilton’s early career was marked by intense competition and limited support from established drivers.
Now, as a seven-time world champion and veteran of the sport, he is determined to set a different example for today’s rookies.
“In my position, I wanted to be different to those who were to me when I was younger,” he added.
“I want to make sure I’m being positive to them and uplifting rather than talking negatively about them, which a lot of people do, just talk negatively about young people coming through for no reason,” he said.
In an era where the pressures of Formula 1 are higher than ever, Hamilton’s approach is refreshing. For Colapinto and Bearman, receiving praise from one of the sport’s greatest champions is not just a confidence boost—it’s a sign that they belong.
As Hamilton put it, “People talk negatively about young people coming through for no reason,” but for him, it’s about being the positive influence that was largely missing when he first burst onto the scene.
As Bearman prepares for his full-time return to the grid with Haas in 2025 and Colapinto continues his journey with Williams, they do so knowing they have a powerful advocate in Hamilton, who sees in them the same promise and potential that he once possessed as a young driver entering the pinnacle of motorsport.
Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter
