Lewis Hamilton hits back at ‘older, white men' for telling him how to live
In a wide-ranging interview for the March issue of Time magazine – which features on its 'Horse Power' front cover a white-suited Hamilton standing in front of a black stallion named Aroma, recreating the iconic Ferrari prancing horse – Hamilton discusses his career, the reasons behind his move to Maranello and his mission to introduce greater diversity at the Italian team.
Hamilton argued that no one could put themselves in his shoes as there had never been anyone like him.
'Don't ever compare me to anybody else,' Hamilton said. 'I'm the first and only black driver that's ever been in this sport. 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, don't have a wife and kids. I'm focused on one thing, and that's winning. That's my No 1 priority.'
Hamilton endured a difficult spell at previous team Mercedes after losing out on what would have been a record eighth world title in 2021 on the final lap of the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi, in what was one of the biggest controversies in modern F1. The Briton's emotional win at Silverstone last summer was his first for 945 days.
However, he insists he is 'more motivated than ever' to win an eighth title and told Time he could race on at Ferrari 'until he is 50' given the way he is feeling now.
Hamilton dismissed criticism from the wider racing community. Former F1 chief executive Ecclestone told Telegraph Sport recently that Hamilton would 'not last two seasons' in Italy, questioning his motivation and predicting he would be walking into a hostile environment.
'I don't think Lewis will get the same attention at Ferrari,' Ecclestone said. 'Firstly, the team are happy with Charles Leclerc, his team-mate. Leclerc speaks their language [he's fluent in Italian], so they'll be looking after him. Even if Lewis does well, there'll still be a lot of enemies, because he has suddenly arrived.'
Former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan, meanwhile, said on a podcast in December that it was 'absolutely suicidal' for Ferrari to drop Carlos Sainz from its line-up as they were so well-matched.
'I've always welcomed the negativity,' Hamilton said when asked about his doubters. '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.'
Hamilton, who topped the time-sheets on the second morning of pre-season testing in Bahrain on Thursday, admitted he did have some apprehensions about moving to Ferrari, where diversity and inclusion is not as advanced as it is at Mercedes, thanks largely to his efforts over the last decade.
He admitted that he had heard the racist chants directed at black footballers in Italy. 'I'm not going to lie, it definitely crossed my mind when I was thinking about my decision,' he said. 'Like in so many things, it's often such a small group of people that set that trend for many. I don't think that it's going to be a problem.'
Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fox News
an hour ago
- Fox News
PSG Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma Announces He's Leaving the Club
Just hours after being left out of Paris Saint-Germain's squad for Wednesday's UEFA Super Cup final against Tottenham, star goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma posted a message saying he is leaving the club. When PSG named its squad for the match earlier on Tuesday, goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier, who recently joined from Lille for just over 40 million euros ($46 million), was included along with backup goalies Matvei Safonov and Renato Marin. Chevalier's arrival was expected to signal Donnarumma's departure, with the 26-year-old Italy international unlikely to accept being No. 2 if coach Luis Enrique decided so. Donnarumma then posted a message in Italian, English and French on his Instagram account saying he had effectively been forced out. "Unfortunately, someone has decided that I can no longer be part of the group and contribute to the team's success," he wrote. "I am disappointed and disheartened." He bade farewell to fans ahead of the new season. "I hope to have the opportunity to look the fans at the Parc des Princes in the eyes one more time and say goodbye as it should be done," Donnarumma said. "I will always carry with me the memory of all the emotions, the magical nights and of you, who made me feel at home." Donnarumma did not name the person who no longer wants him in the squad, but in a pre-match news conference PSG coach Luis Enrique explained why he had signed Chevalier. "These are always difficult decisions to make, I know. I can only say good things about Gigio (Gianluigi). He's one of the best players in his position, without a doubt, and he's even better as a person," Luis Enrique said. "We were looking for a different type of goalkeeper. And I repeat, it's always difficult to make a decision like that." It is thought that Chevalier's superior passing from the back— which has been a noticeable shortcoming for Donnarumma — was a crucial factor in the decision. However, Donnarumma was arguably the best goalkeeper in Europe last season, playing a key role in PSG's Champions League success with inspired shot-stopping in the knockout stages. He also starred for Italy when it won the European Championship in 2021. But with one year left on his contract, Donnarumma had refused to sign a new contract and PSG was unlikely to let him leave for free at the end of the season. He has been strongly linked with a move to Premier League big-spender Manchester City, with Manchester United also reportedly interested. PSG experienced the same situation two seasons ago with Kylian Mbappe, who ended up joining Real Madrid on a free transfer after refusing to take up the option of a one-year contract extension. Donnarumma was in a similar position to Chevalier when he joined the club after helping Italy win the Euros. He replaced Keylor Navas as No. 1, even though Navas had been outstanding for PSG the previous season. Donnarumma's arrival at PSG was seen by fans as hugely unfair on Navas and a clumsy move by the club. Now the situation has come full circle for the Italy keeper, who finds himself in much the same position as Navas was. "If he has to go, then we thank him from the bottom of our hearts," PSG captain Marquinhos said. "He has been a great leader all these years. Seeing Donnarumma leave would upset me." PSG begins its league campaign at Nantes on Aug. 17. Reporting by The Associated Press. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Sacchi tells Liverpool what to expect from 18-year-old Italy talent Leoni: ‘A great coup'
Arrigo Sacchi thinks that Liverpool are getting a 'modern, strong and gritty' defender if they are able to pull off a deal with Parma for 18-year-old Italy talent Giovanni Leoni, but admits that he would have rather seen the youngster move to Inter, Milan, Juventus or Napoli. Reports on Wednesday confirmed that Liverpool are 'very close' to striking a deal with Parma for the highly-rated young centre-back. Parma's valuation has stood at €40m, while Wednesday's reports claim that Liverpool are closing in on an agreement for around €35m. The Parma defender, who made 17 appearances in Serie A during his first season in the top flight last term, had been of interest to both Milan and Inter this summer, with rumours that a number of Italy's top clubs were also keen but not in a position to offer a realistic deal. Sacchi: 'Leoni is a great talent, nobody has any doubts about that' Arrigo Sacchi during the Women Supercup match between AS Roma and ACF Fiorentina at Dino Manuzzi Stadium on May 24, 2024 in Cesena, Italy. (Photo by) Sacchi, writing for La Gazzetta dello Sport, has provided an in-depth review of what to expect from Leoni if he is to move to the Premier League this summer. 'It brings me immense joy and a bit of anger on the other side,' Sacchi explained. 'I'm happy that an Italian player is receiving the appreciation from a great club like Liverpool, but I would have liked for Milan, Inter, Juve or Napoli to have competed for his signing, not a foreign club. 'Either way, I would say that Liverpool are making a great coup by securing this guy, who I followed with a lot of curiosity and interest in the second half of last season.' Explaining what to expect from Leoni on the pitch, Sacchi wrote: 'Leoni is a modern central defender. He knows how to mark a man, he's gritty, he has a good physique, he doesn't let himself get thrown around. 'I think about an excellent performance of his against a centre-forward of Lukaku's quality. PARMA, ITALY – MAY 18: Giovanni Leoni of Parma Calcio is challenged by Romelu Lukaku of Napoli during the Serie A match between Parma and Napoli at Stadio Ennio Tardini on May 18, 2025 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by) 'The boy wasn't frightened, he followed him in every part of the pitch because the plan was for fixed, man-to-man marking. He got involved in duels, and when the ball was on the ground, I don't remember a single time that Lukaku managed to get past his opponent. 'We're looking at a great talent, nobody has any doubts about that. Obviously being just 18 years old, the margins for improvement are considerable. For example, in my opinion, he could be a bit safer in setting up plays.' PARMA, ITALY – APRIL 05:Giovanni Leoni of Parma Calcio in action during the Serie A match between Parma and FC Internazionale at Stadio Ennio Tardini on April 05, 2025 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by) Responding to questions as to whether Leoni will be able to make the step up to the Premier League and possibly the Champions League, Sacchi wrote: 'I think so. He will have to learn a few things, he will have to adapt to the new reality, but I don't think he will run into any problems longer term. 'The important thing is that he is given a learning period. A little patience, in short.'
Associated Press
2 hours ago
- Associated Press
Real Madrid rejects US-hosted match claiming it would hurt integrity of the competition
MADRID (AP) — Real Madrid said it 'firmly rejects' having a regular-season Spanish league game played in the United States and warned of 'a turning point in the world of football.' Villarreal, in contrast, is promising free travel and tickets for season-ticket holders if its match against Barcelona in Miami is approved in what would be a first for the league. The 17th-round match in La Liga would be played at the Hard Rock Stadium. Madrid said Tuesday it has taken action to keep the Dec. 20 match from happening in the U.S., claiming it would hurt the 'integrity of the competition' and the 'legitimacy of the results.' 'The measure, which was taken without prior information or consultation of the clubs participating in the competition, infringes the essential principle of territorial reciprocity, which applies in two-legged league competitions (one match at home and the other at the home of the opposing team), upsetting the competitive balance and giving an undue sporting advantage to the applicant clubs,' Madrid said. The club said the match would set 'an unacceptable precedent that opens the door to exceptions based on non-sporting interests, clearly affecting sporting integrity and risking the adulteration of the competition.' 'If this proposal were to be carried out, its consequences would be so serious that it would be a turning point in the world of football,' Madrid said. The Europe-wide fan group Football Supporters Europe, or FSE, said it was 'liaising' with members, soccer stakeholders, affected groups, and partner organizations to 'collectively resist the latest threat to the very nature of football.' 'We are following the broader impact on football with the utmost concern,' the group said. 'Moving games from their domestic territories strikes at the heart of the relationship between fans and their teams, breaking vital links between clubs and their communities.' The group also criticized a similar move by the Italian league to play a match abroad. The Italian soccer federation said in July that a plan was in motion to play the Serie A match between AC Milan and Como in the Australian city of Perth in February. Madrid asks FIFA and UEFA to withhold permission Madrid said it has asked FIFA, UEFA and Spain's top sports body to not authorize the game in the U.S. The Spanish soccer federation on Monday approved a request for the match to be played in Miami. UEFA and FIFA now have to approve the request before it can be made official. 'Any modification of this nature must, in any case, have the express and unanimous agreement of all the clubs participating in the competition, as well as strictly respecting the national and international rules governing the organization of official competitions,' Madrid said. Madrid and Spanish league president Javier Tebas have often been at odds on various issues. The club said UEFA should deny the request to play the game abroad based on the 'criterion established in 2018 that prevents official matches in domestic competitions from being played outside national territory, except in duly justified exceptional circumstances, which are not present here.' Madrid said it asked the country's high sports council 'not to grant the necessary administrative authorization without such unanimous consent.' 'Real Madrid reaffirms its commitment to respect the national and international rules that guarantee the fairness and proper functioning of official competitions, and will defend its compliance with them before all competent bodies,' the club said. Villarreal hoping to expand its brand in US Villarreal earlier Tuesday said its season ticket-holders can travel for free and receive free tickets for the match. It said those who don't want to go, or can't go, will get a 20% discount on their season tickets. 'We would be the first (Spanish) team to play a league match abroad,' Villarreal president Fernando Roig told a news conference. 'It would greatly help us expand our brand in a key market like the United States.' Staging a match abroad has long been part of the league's goal to promote soccer and its brand in other countries. It first tried to stage a match in the U.S. in 2018, with a game between Barcelona and Girona, but the idea was dismissed after criticism from players, fans and clubs. Subsequent attempts to play there also failed. The league had offered compensation packages for Girona fans in 2018. It wasn't clear whether it would be Villarreal or the league paying for the travel and tickets for the club's fans this time. The attempts to play in the U.S. are part of the league's long-term partnership with sports and entertainment group Relevent Sports, which is part of Stephen Ross' portfolio of companies including Hard Rock Stadium, the Miami Dolphins, the Formula 1's Miami Grand Prix and the Miami Open tennis tournament. Earlier this year, it was announced that New York-based Relevent Sports has exclusive negotiating rights over the global commercial rights to the UEFA men's club competitions for the period 2027-2033. FIFA moved last year toward ending decades of soccer tradition by ordering a review of its policy that blocks domestic league games being played in other countries. Some fan groups in Spain and the country's players association on Monday expressed their disapproval of the plan to move the match thousands of kilometers away. It has become routine, though, for U.S. pro sports leagues to stage games in Europe, Asia and South America that help build their brands and fan bases. ___ AP soccer:
