Sports Evolve
Lewis Hamilton has discussed how his attitude towards interacting with other drivers on the track has evolved over time.
The 7-time Formula 1 World Champion acknowledges the difficulty in finding a balance between the drive to compete against others and being cordial with them away from the racing environment.
Hamilton believes that despite being competitors, the drivers in the sport have more similarities than differences.
“We have a lot more in common than we think,” Hamilton told the On Purpose with Jay Shetty podcast.
“But we’re so competitive, and a lot of us have our defence. You want to beat the guy – you might like the person outside the car, but you can’t show that.
“There’s this whole psychological battle you’re having with yourself, and [you can] get in the way of yourself a lot of the time.”
Hamilton aims to be a positive influence on younger drivers by extending a hand of friendship and offering guidance.
“I really feel like, as an older driver, I’m trying to be reaching out [more] to youngsters, because they’re the future,” the Mercedes driver continued.
“I’m excited to see some of these young drivers coming through. [They’re] so, so talented.
“I don’t know if they’ve got the best structure around them, like I didn’t necessarily have the ultimate structure that I perhaps have now, so [I] just try to be kind of a positive light to them.
“But naturally, none of them are black, and none of them have necessarily faced the same as me, but they’ve faced their own challenges and I think it’s about respecting that within everybody.”
Hamilton expresses appreciation for fellow drivers who have supported him in addressing political and social issues.
“I’ve tried to create allies, in having the difficult conversations with some of them,” he added.
“I’m so grateful for about a couple of them that really took the knee with me in 2020.”
