Lewis Hamilton calls out “older drivers” as he pledges support for F1 rookies

Lewis Hamilton intends to continue supporting young drivers even after his own racing career comes to an end, he has confirmed. 

Speaking to the media ahead of the Brazil Grand Prix, the seven-time Formula 1 champion compared the beginnings of his own racing career to the current crop of rookies racing in the 2025 season. 

“It’s great to see young talent coming through. I remember getting here in 2007 and being one of them,” Hamilton said. “It’s an amazing experience, but before you get here, you have all these preconceived ideas of what it would be like.

"Most often it doesn't equal what you amounted it to be."

He continued, confronting the added pressure these drivers now have compared to when he started in F1 over a decade ago.

“Maybe the driving does, but then there’s all the other things that are around, and the pressure is hugely high, and these youngsters are getting bombarded with questions and obviously the social media,” he continued. “But I think they’ve all been handling it really well.”

The Ferrari driver has been asked repeatedly this season about the performance of several rookie drivers who joined the grid. In Brazil, home of Sauber rookie driver Gabriel Bortoleto, he confirmed that he would continue to back the next generation of drivers instead of criticising, even after his own retirement. 

"I've always wanted to be a driver. Even when I leave here, I'll always be someone that's supporting the youth. You hear so many negative things coming from these older guys.

"These older drivers that more often than not didn't achieve much. I just love to see these guys keeping their heads down. Doing it with a smile and doing what they love.
 
"And succeeding. I'm as excited as you are to see the progression of their careers."

Franco Colapinto, Alpine

Photo by: Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images

This season's rookie drivers have been a strong talking point throughout the year. But the Brazil weekend was accompanied by news of Alpine's Franco Colapinto securing a contract with the team that will see him race with the outfit next year. 

"I think he's doing amazing," Hamilton said of the young Argentine. "First of all, he's a really lovely lad. We did a flight together back from, I think it was a test, maybe the race in Barcelona.
 
"We had a great conversation. He's just a genuinely nice human being, which is nice to see. With a lot of weight on his shoulders, it's not easy when you come into Formula 1, when things are uncertain.
 
"But I think he's been doing a really great job. I think he just needs to continue to do what he's doing."