Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time Formula One World Champion, has spoken out about the challenges of maintaining friendships with fellow drivers due to the highly competitive nature of the sport. In an interview on the On Purpose podcast, Hamilton suggested that F1 drivers have more in common than they think but the psychological battle on track makes it hard for them to show it.
“We have more in common than we like to think. But we are so competitive. A lot of us have our defense. You want to beat the guy. You might like the guy outside of the car, but you can’t show that. It’s a psychological battle that we have,” said Hamilton.
Hamilton explained that reaching out to younger drivers has been his way of trying to make allies in the sport.
“As an older driver I try to reach out to the youngsters because they are the future. They haven’t faced the same as me, but they have faced their own challenges. I have tried to make allies,” he added.
Hamilton is known to have great friendships with some of his fellow drivers while also being involved in fierce rivalries with others, such as Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso. However, Hamilton’s efforts to form alliances with younger drivers could help to improve relationships in the sport.
Hamilton also touched on the subject of diversity and how important it is to him. He stated that he sees himself as a leader and a voice for change in the sport.
“I want to be a leader in the sport, a voice for change, for diversity, for opportunity, for positivity,” said Hamilton.
Hamilton has been vocal about promoting diversity and inclusivity in F1 and has been a driving force behind initiatives such as the Hamilton Commission, which aims to increase diversity in motorsport.
