Hamilton: ‘I use negativity as fuel’
Hamilton got his fair share of criticism over the years, but says this only motivates him further
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.”
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
Share Or Save This Story
How Jonathan Wheatley wants Sauber to use F1 podium momentum in Audi transformation
How Christian Horner’s Red Bull exit mirrored his F1 arrival and why he will be missed
Keanu Reeves to star in new Cadillac F1 team documentary
Ferrari "too late" to prioritise Lewis Hamilton in F1 title fight, says Jolyon Palmer
James Hinchcliffe warns Fred Vasseur faces "tremendous" pressure over Ferrari team orders
Lewis Hamilton and Fred Vasseur recall GP2 title and 'most impressive race ever', 20 years on
Charles Leclerc gives insight into eyesight problem after Monza F1 crash
Ferrari got “hardly any” advantage from its Madring F1 test
Should Ferrari have pitted Lewis Hamilton under the VSC at the Italian GP?
Ferrari "too late" to prioritise Lewis Hamilton in F1 title fight, says Jolyon Palmer
F1 Spanish GP: George Russell tops FP1 as Lewis Hamilton impedes several drivers
James Hinchcliffe warns Fred Vasseur faces "tremendous" pressure over Ferrari team orders
George Russell 'overanalysing everything' as Kimi Antonelli extends F1 lead, says former driver
What F1's risky Madrid bet needs to get right in order to pay off
The deeper meaning of Vettel’s emotional Schumacher demo run at Monza
Why new Madrid F1 circuit will be a "challenging" test of cars and engines
Lewis Hamilton and Fred Vasseur recall GP2 title and 'most impressive race ever', 20 years on
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments