Formula 1
Hamilton: ‘I use negativity as fuel’
Hamilton got his fair share of criticism over the years, but says this only motivates him further
Ben Hunt
Edited: Feb 28, 2025, 2:45 PM
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Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari SF-25
Photo by: Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton has responded to an article in Time Magazine in which he says he ignores criticism about his career choices.
Hamilton, 40, is quoted by the publication, that references a claim by former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan, who said it would be “absolutely suicidal” for Ferrari to replace Carlos Sainz with Hamilton.
Hamilton is quoted saying: “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.”
When asked about the article during pre-season testing in Bahrain, Hamilton said he used the negativity as fuel.
He explained: “I actually haven’t had a second to read the story, but I’ve heard it’s come out really well.
“I think, look, naturally in our sport, criticism is something that everyone receives. I think I’ve probably received a lot more of it, perhaps, throughout my career.
“I’m just in the mindset, I keep my head down, keep doing what I’m doing. I know that I’m growing each day, I know that I’m bound to make mistakes. I’m human.
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari SF-25
Photo by: Ferrari
“But one thing that I’m proud of is that I have the drive, I have the focus, I’m able to admit when I’m wrong. And I know that tomorrow, I’ll work to be better.
“It really doesn’t matter to me what some of the comments that have come out over my career – it’s not just been this past 12 months or so. I just use that as fuel.”
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Hamilton is getting to grips with his new Ferrari ahead of the new season, which kicks off in two weeks in Australia.
And he says that after a difficult few seasons with Mercedes, being at Ferrari is the “most positive feeling” he has had in a long time.
He added: “I've learned that you really can't judge too much from the first outlook.
“I definitely think in past years, particularly in the previous generation of car, it was much easier to know where you stood quite early on.
“But I would say this is the most positive feeling that I've had in a long time. That’s all I can really say for now.”
Photos from the Bahrain Pre-Season Testing - Day 3
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing - Day 3
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing - Day 3
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing - Day 3
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing - Day 3
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing - Day 3
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing - Day 3
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing - Day 3
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing - Day 3
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing - Day 3
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing - Day 3
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing - Day 3
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing - Day 3
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing - Day 3
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing - Day 3
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing - Day 3
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing - Day 3
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing - Day 3
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing - Day 3
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing - Day 3
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing - Day 3
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing - Day 3
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing - Day 3
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing - Day 3
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing - Day 3
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing - Day 3
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing - Day 3
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing - Day 3
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing - Day 3
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing - Day 3
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing - Day 3
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing - Day 3
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing - Day 3
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing - Day 3
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing - Day 3
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing - Day 3
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing - Day 3
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing - Day 3
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing - Day 3
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing - Day 3
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing - Day 3
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing - Day 3
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing - Day 3
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing - Day 3
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing - Day 3
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