Lewis Hamilton: F1 has 'never had anyone like me'
BBC Sport
Lewis Hamilton has declared that Formula 1 has "never had anyone like me" as he reaffirmed his determination to continue racing into his mid-forties. The seven-time world champion, who joined Ferrari in 2025, has long campaigned for a Grand Prix to be held in Africa, and a deal with Rwanda for a race in the early 2030s is expected.
At 41, Hamilton will be at least 45 by the time the Rwandan GP takes place, but he believes his age should not be a barrier. He stated, "F1 has never had anyone like me in the 70 years. I feel like I'm built differently. Of course, there are challenges ahead that I can't foresee due to age, but my reaction time in the last race was faster than some of the youngest drivers here."
Hamilton acknowledged the challenges that come with age, but expressed his willingness to sacrifice for his passion. "Time will tell if I'm here in the 2030s. I never want to overstay my welcome if my performance drops off. Everyone assumed I'd struggle last year, but I proved them wrong, and I'll continue to do so."
This season, Hamilton is battling for second place in the drivers' championship, facing off against four other drivers in a tight race. Despite a challenging first year with Ferrari, he secured a victory at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix in June, demonstrating his continued competitiveness.