Hamilton fires back at ‘older guys’ criticizing F1’s young guns

Lewis Hamilton is throwing his weight behind the sport’s rising stars, making it clear that he’s firmly on their side – now and long after he hangs up his helmet.

F1’s current grid of talented young apprentices includes Kimi Antonelli, Gabriel Bortoleto, Oliver Bearman, Isack Hadjar and Liam Lawson, all of which have proven they belong on motorsport’s biggest stage.

Speaking during last weekend’s São Paulo Grand Prix, Hamilton reflected on his own arrival in Formula 1 and the pressure today’s rookies face, using his experience to call out what he sees as needless negativity from older voices in the sport.

Youngsters Getting Bombarded

“It’s great to see young talent coming through. I remember getting here in 2007 and being one of them,” Hamilton said. “It’s an amazing experience, but before you get here, you have all these preconceived ideas of what it would be like.

"Most often it doesn't equal what you amounted it to be."

The Ferrari star acknowledged the unique challenges today’s young drivers face, from the complexity of today’s cars to relentless social media scrutiny to the barrage of media questions. Hamilton feels the landscape has only become tougher for newcomers.

“Maybe the driving does, but then there’s all the other things that are around, and the pressure is hugely high, and these youngsters are getting bombarded with questions and obviously the social media,” he continued.

“But I think they’ve all been handling it really well.”

Older Drivers Lacking Credentials

Hamilton’s words carry the weight of experience, but also a spark of defiance. He’s fed up with the negativity often lobbed at young drivers, particularly from former racers who, in his view, lack the credentials to judge.

“I’ve always wanted to be a driver. Even when I leave here, I’ll always be someone that’s supporting the youth,” he declared.

“You hear so many negative things coming from these older guys. These older drivers that more often than not didn’t achieve much.

“I just love to see these guys keeping their heads down. Doing it with a smile and doing what they love. And succeeding. I’m as excited as you are to see the progression of their careers.”

Among the F1 paddock’s young guns, Hamilton praised Alpine’s Franco Colapinto, who has been handed a full season with the Enstone squad in 2026.

"I think he's doing amazing," Hamilton said. "First of all, he's a really lovely lad. We did a flight together back from, I think it was a test, maybe the race in Barcelona.

• Read also: ‘Really proud’ Vowles says Colapinto 'earned' new Alpine deal

"We had a great conversation. He's just a genuinely nice human being, which is nice to see. With a lot of weight on his shoulders, it's not easy when you come into Formula 1, when things are uncertain.

"But I think he's been doing a really great job. I think he just needs to continue to do what he's doing."

Hamilton’s message? The sport is moving forward, and he’s determined to lift the next generation with it – despite the noise from those who, in his words, “more often than not didn’t achieve much.”

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