Lewis Hamilton has ignited a fiery debate within the Formula 1 community by asserting he could race until the age of 50, directly addressing criticisms surrounding his move to Ferrari for the 2025 season.
The seven-time world champion, who turned 40 last month, insists that age is merely a “state of mind” and that he is “built different” from any other driver in the sport’s history.
The move to Ferrari, marking the end of a 12-season partnership with Mercedes, has drawn scrutiny from some pundits, including former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan, who deemed it “absolutely suicidal” for Ferrari to replace Carlos Sainz with Hamilton. However, Hamilton remains unfazed.
“The old man is a state of mind,” Hamilton declared in an interview with Time magazine. “Of course your body ages, but I’m never going to be an old man.”
Hamilton, who set the fastest lap on the second morning of pre-season testing in Bahrain, emphasized his unique position as the first and only Black driver in Formula 1.
“Don’t ever compare me to anybody else; I’m the first and only Black driver that’s ever been in this sport,” he stated. “I’m built different; I’ve been through a lot. You can’t compare me to another 40-year-old, past or present, Formula One driver in history – because they are nothing like me.”
He further added, “I’m hungry, driven, [I] don’t have a wife and kids – I’m focused on one thing, and that’s winning. That’s my No. 1 priority.”
Hamilton also addressed comments made by his former team principal, Toto Wolff, who, in a recent book, suggested “everyone has a shelf life.”
While Wolff denied the remark was aimed at Hamilton, the British driver dismissed any concerns. “What I can tell you is, retirement is nowhere on my radar. I could be here until I’m 50, who knows,” Hamilton said.
Regarding the criticism from figures like Eddie Jordan, Hamilton stated, “I’ve always welcomed the negativity. I never, ever reply to any of the older, ultimately, white men who have commented on my career and what they think I should be doing. How you show up, how you present yourself, how you perform slowly dispels that.”
The 2025 Formula 1 season is set to commence in Australia on March 14th, with Hamilton aiming to prove his critics wrong and add to his already illustrious career with Ferrari.
