The seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton insists “the old man is a state of mind” amidst criticism towards Ferrari for signing the 40-year-old.
Hamilton turned 40 last month as he prepares to enter the 19th season of his F1 career with the Maranello-based squad.
The British driver left after 12 seasons with Mercedes, in which he won six World Championships between 2014 and 2021.
Turning his attention to the upcoming 2025 season, he recently spoke about the criticism Ferrari has faced for signing a driver of his age.
“The old man is a state of mind,” Hamilton remarked in an interview with Time magazine.
“Of course your body ages but I’m never going to be an old man.”
Whilst his focus will be on his first full season with Ferrari, Hamilton has been working on several different projects, including the upcoming ‘F1’ movie.
But he has no intention of calling it quits, as he went on to reveal: “What I can tell you is, retirement is nowhere on my radar. I could be here until I’m 50, who knows.”
‘You can’t compare me to another 40-year-old’, insists Hamilton
Last season, Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff claimed that “everyone has a shelf life” in a book about the German marque published in November.
The Austrian’s comments caused a commotion, which he denied was a reference to Hamilton, who took no issue with his erstwhile boss’ remark.
However, Hamilton went on to stress the scale of his legacy in F1 and how there aren’t many drivers like him at his age.
“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.
“I’ve had my own journey.
“You can’t compare me to another 40-year-old, past or present, Formula One driver in history – because they are nothing like me.
“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 chooses to ignore criticism from ‘older, white men’
One of the voices of the racing community who blasted Ferrari for signing Hamilton was ex-F1 team owner Eddie Jordan.
Jordan, on his Formula For Success podcast, expressed how he felt it was “absolutely suicidal” for Ferrari to drop Carlos Sainz from its driver lineup for 2025.
Speaking of the critics, including the Irishman, Hamilton said he lets his performances on the track do the talking as he chooses to ignore the opinions of such people.
“I’ve always welcomed the negativity,” says Hamilton.
“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 Ferrari racing driver set the fastest lap on day two of pre-season testing, in the morning session.
After testing in Bahrain, F1 heads to Australia for the opening round of the 2025 season, with the first practice session set for 14 March.
READ MORE: Lewis Hamilton fastest on second morning of 2025 F1 pre-season testing
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