Hamilton says F1 has 'never had anyone like me' and rejects talk of decline
Ahead of the Mexico City weekend, Lewis Hamilton said his reactions are faster than those of some of the youngest drivers in the field and that he feels 'built differently', while adding that he never wants to overstay his welcome without the pace.
A defiant message in Mexico City
Lewis Hamilton used his media day in Mexico City to answer, in his own way, the question hanging over the 41-year-old for two seasons: how long can he keep competing at the front? According to Crash.net and RacingNews365, the question came as he was asked about a possible appearance in a planned African Grand Prix in Rwanda in the early 2030s, part of a 10-year deal.
Hamilton did not rule himself out, but he did not promise anything either. He said it is impossible to say whether he will still be racing in four years.
What he said
The seven-time world champion argued that the paddock has not seen a driver like him in the last decade. "You've never had anyone like me here in the last 10 years. So I feel that I'm built differently," he said, as quoted by Crash.net.
He pointed to his performance at the most recent race as evidence. "My reaction's faster than some of the youngest people here," Hamilton said, adding that competing with a 20-year-old at 41 is realistic, while he could not say the same for 44.
He also acknowledged the criticism that followed him through last year. His reactions, drive and pace were assumed to have dropped off, he said, but he stressed he never wants to overstay his welcome "in the sense of still not having the performance".
By the numbers
Our race data backs up the idea that he is not fading. After 18 rounds Hamilton has 241 points and sits third in the drivers' standings, one point behind George Russell (242). He has one win and six podium finishes in 18 rounds this season. In Austin he took fourth place, a result he put down to a Ferrari set-up problem.
Hamilton is contracted to Ferrari for 2027, but nothing is announced beyond that. Antonelli leads with 365 points and is expected to settle the title in Mexico, so Hamilton's fight is now about the runner-up spot and about proving the point he made on Thursday.
