'Diamonds are created over time': Lewis Hamilton on the next generation of F1 drivers

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Lewis Hamilton has seen it all during his Formula One career. While the 40-year-old British driver has fought off competitors at the base and summit of the F1 mountain, the seven-time world champion is looking to guide the next generation of drivers on the grid.

With five rookies entering this year's 2025 season opener in Melbourne, Hamilton said he's "not in a competitive mindset" when it comes to sharing the track with the new bloods.

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Speaking at the 2025 Australian Grand Prix press conference, Hamilton told the media including Drive, "I want to protect them from all the incoming bombardment that they will experience. It can be a cruel world, and they just need time.

"Diamonds are created over time, and I hope they have time and the space to grow and be themselves and not have to conform and rush. You've obviously got some drivers [that] come in and then get booted out straight away,” he said.

"I hope they're just given leeway and time to make mistakes. We've all made mistakes in our lives; it's just that we do it in front of the world."

Sat next to his Mercedes-AMG replacement in 18-year-old Andrea Kimi Antonelli, the former world champion showed his support for his successor.

"At first, I was smiling because just looking at the youngster here, I'm just happy for him. He's doing so well and conducting himself so well and taking that first leap and getting that first opportunity to be in Formula One is so special,” he added.

"I know how many years of dedication it would've taken for him to obviously start four years earlier than I did, so it's just exciting to see."

The respect between the two is mutual, with Antonelli explaining, "It feels pretty surreal to race with someone such as Lewis. I've been growing up, and once I joined Mercedes, I've been looking at him, and he's been incredibly successful.

"It feels kind of weird that I'm going to be sharing the track with him, and last year when I was doing some track side [work] at the end of the season and starting to work with the team, Lewis has always been nice to me and giving me some advice.

"I'm really grateful for that because it shows that he's not only a great driver but a great person," the Italian driver said.

Despite reaching the pantheon of F1, Hamilton vividly remembers sharing the track with one legendary driver during his early years in the sport, similar to how the next crop of drivers might view him.

"I don't know if this is going to be the same for Kimi, but I remember being on track with Michael Schumacher back in the day and he was ahead of me and I'm like 'oh my god, that's Michael'.

"I just followed him for as many laps until he came in basically. I think it's just very surreal. When I'm looking at the youngsters coming through, I always really do try to make sure I set a good example in what I do."

Hamilton’s appreciation for his fellow competitors goes beyond the younger drivers, with the latest addition to the Ferrari F1 team highlighting his teammate Charles Leclerc’s diligence to the sport.

"What surprised me the most [about Leclerc] is his work ethic. Naturally [when you’re on opposing teams] you don’t know what happens behind closed doors," he said.

"I think every driver works really hard, but everyone has a different method to achieve their ultimate performance, and it’s been really interesting to see that [his process] isn’t too dissimilar to mine. You see a hardworking kid, just getting on with it.

"He’s obviously been in the team a long time… and he’s had this amazing time at Ferrari, so he is very much Mr Ferrari, and it’s been really cool to work alongside him, and I’m really looking forward to working alongside him for the year.”

The post 'Diamonds are created over time': Lewis Hamilton on the next generation of F1 drivers appeared first on Drive.