The challenge of being young in F1: Lewis Hamilton's heartfelt message to new drivers
Yesterday at 05:17 PM
As a seven-time Formula 1 world champion, Lewis Hamilton brings a wealth of experience and has seen it all. Drawing from his journey, he shared valuable advice aimed at the young talents who will make their F1 debuts in 2025.
The 2025 Formula 1 grid will feature many new faces: Kimi Antonelli at Mercedes, Gabriel Bortoleto at Sauber, Oliver Bearman at Haas, Jack Doohan at Alpine, and Liam Lawson (with his placement still unclear between Red Bull or AlphaTauri). These young drivers, all very early in their careers, will face immense pressure—pressure that could easily overwhelm them.
They will be racing alongside seasoned veterans like Fernando Alonso and Hamilton himself. Following the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton shared his thoughts on the challenges awaiting these newcomers.
The Importance of Family and Friends
"Don't just do everything you're told," Lewis Hamilton advised the incoming drivers. "Ask a lot of questions. Take your time. Don't let negativity affect you, because today people are so negative and constantly judge you. Stay away from social media and keep your family and closest friends by your side, as they are your real friends and will always be there for you."
Growing Up in a Hostile Environment
When asked if his warning against letting criticism get to them stemmed from his own experiences this season, Lewis Hamilton clarified, "It's not about this year. We're talking about young drivers, 18-year-olds. I remember being 22 and being thrown into a sea of trouble. You're trained as a young driver through the junior categories, but for most of them, you're not a priority. You probably don't have a personal PR manager. The team has a PR person, but they're there for the team, not for you. So, you find yourself in deep water, trying to be nice, and people take advantage of you” – the future Ferrari driver pointed out.
"For that reason, if I were mentoring a young driver, I would provide them with a lot of support to ensure that others, social media, and the press wouldn't affect their mindset."
Supporting Young Drivers Through Mistakes
Lewis Hamilton emphasized the need to protect the mental well-being of young talents. "I think it's vital to give people the opportunity to make mistakes without tearing them down for it. Who among you, or anyone else here, hasn't made mistakes at 18 or 19? And when you make them under the spotlight, it's incredibly, incredibly tough.
"We need to lift these kids up and give them not just one chance, but two, while continuing to support them instead of criticizing them. That kind of negativity isn't helpful."
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