AT the age of 40, most F1 drivers are in the slow lane to retirement.
But not Lewis Hamilton, who is ready to make his childhood “dream” come true by getting behind the wheel of a Ferrari F1 car.
RexLewis Hamilton makes his dream come true by driving for Ferrari[/caption]
Instagram / lululemonAt 40, Hamilton still lives life in the fast lane[/caption]
The seven-time world champ spoke to Time Magazine about his move to the Scuderia
The seven-time world champion fell in love with the red of the Scuderia by driving Michael Schumacher’s car in video games.
Ferris Bueller’s 1961 250 GT California Spyder has always been Hamilton’s dream vehicle.
But despite this, it was far from a straightforward decision when he was offered the chance to ditch Mercedes for Ferrari.
Hamilton spent a few days meditating before deciding it was “the right thing for me”.
In an interview with Time Magazine, Hamilton reveals he has “never been so excited” despite nerves ahead of the first Grand Prix of the season in Australia on March 16.
It would be easy for Hamilton to put his feet up and end as one of the best drivers to ever grace the sport.
But Hamilton is firing back at claims he should retire and at those who have slammed his switch to Ferrari.
He said: “You can’t stand still for too long. I needed to throw myself into something uncomfortable again.
“What I can tell you is, retirement is nowhere on my radar. I could be here until I’m 50, who knows.
“The old man is a state of mind. Of course your body ages. But I’m never going to be an old man.”
There has been fierce criticism from F1 legend Eddie Jordan, who branded the Italian team’s decision to axe Carlos Sainz from their line-up as “absolutely suicidal”.
Ex-Ferrari driver Jacky Ickx claims Hamilton’s move is a marketing ploy to bring the glamour back to the brand.
Even Mercedes principal Toto Wolff said he believes “everyone has a shelf life”.
But Hamilton said: “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.”
GettyHamilton remains on good terms with the people at Mercedes[/caption]
PANothing is distracting him from his dream of an eighth world title[/caption]
Winning his eighth title is firmly in sights and nothing is distracting him during his new life in Maranello, adding: “Don’t ever compare me to anybody else.
“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 No1 priority.”
Despite Wolff’s comments among others, Hamilton remains on good terms with the people at Mercedes.
Even if they got their own back during their annual team-bonding paintball session when one of Hamilton’s own team-mates hilariously fired at him.
He admitted: “They lit me up, hard. It was so painful.”
After dusting himself down, the Stevenage-born star was all smiles with Wolff and George Russell at the recent F1 75 launch event at London’s O2 Arena.
All teams unveiled their liveries ahead of the 2025 season, with Hamilton taking to the stage in red.
“I’m in red, I’m like, whoa. The suit looked so good on me. I’m like, Damn. It’s a really, really special moment,” says Hamilton.
Despite his pure focus on the track, his calendar is full as he manages a production company, a clothing line and he always keeps at the height of fashion.
Acting could also be on the horizon for Hamilton amid his co-producer rule for the new Brad Pitt film F1.
The movie hits the big screens in June and Hamilton is playing a huge role in making the film as realistic as possible.
Hamilton has rubbed shoulders with Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise in recent years – even taking Pitt for a spin to give him a taste of being a racing driver.
Top Gun and F1 director Joseph Kosinski revealed: “He gave Brad the scare of a lifetime in a lap.
“Brad was clawing at the windows, begging to get out.”
On Hamilton’s role in the new movie, Kosinski added: “He opened all those doors for us into that world.
“We would not have been able to do this without him.”
Hamilton is ready for hit to break box office records, saying: “It’s going to blow away anything that’s ever been done in Formula One before.”
GettyHamilton is playing a key role in the new film F1[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
