Lewis Hamilton will grace the cover of the prestigious TIME Magazine in the coming weeks. This marks the second time the British star has featured on the front of the American publication. In a candid interview, the 40-year-old driver discusses his transfer to Ferrari and his future in Formula 1. He also has a clear message for the ‘white men’ who still doubt him; there is no stopping Lewis Hamilton.
“I have always welcomed negativity,” Hamilton told TIME Magazine. “I have never, ever responded to the old white men who commented on my career and what they think I should do. How you present yourself and how you perform slowly erases that.” At the age of 40, the seven-time world champion is facing a new challenge. Last year, he signed a multi-year contract with Ferrari, hoping to secure his coveted eighth title there.
‘Don’t Compare Me to Others’
As an experienced driver and multiple champion, Hamilton is often compared to the greats of the past. He wants nothing to do with that. “Never compare me to anyone else,” he stated emphatically. “I am the first and only black driver in this sport – I am built differently. Nobody knows what I have been through. You can’t compare me to any other 40-year-old Formula 1 driver from the past or present, because they are nothing like me. I am hungry, driven, have no wife and children. I am focused on one thing: winning. That is my only priority.”
“Retirement is not on my radar,” Hamilton continued. “I could keep racing until I’m fifty, who knows. I know what the goal is and how to achieve it. Of course, that’s easier said than done, but I have the right people and a great team around me.”
For Hamilton, this is the second time he has graced the cover of TIME Magazine. The Brit is one of only four Formula 1 drivers who have ever adorned the publication. In the 1960s, the legendary Jim Clark preceded him, followed many years later by Michael Schumacher. Hamilton then succeeded the German, and in 2023, it was Max Verstappen‘s turn to appear on TIME Magazine.
