As the sun sets on Lewis Hamilton’s illustrious tenure with Mercedes, the seven-time world champion is taking a moment to express his deep gratitude to the teams that made his career possible—McLaren and Mercedes. With just six races remaining before he makes the much-anticipated switch to Ferrari in 2025, Hamilton is reflecting on his journey and voicing concerns about the financial barriers that are keeping talented young drivers from even stepping onto the racetrack.
Hamilton has long been outspoken about the issues facing young drivers trying to break into Formula 1. With rising costs threatening to lock out the next generation of racers, Hamilton didn’t hold back in expressing his worry that many future stars may never get their shot because of the prohibitive expense.
“It’s just crazy expensive,” Hamilton said. “I don’t know how much more it is today, but I heard it’s two or three times, four times more than it was when I started. If I hadn’t been signed by Mercedes and McLaren, I wouldn’t be here today.”
Hamilton knows the reality of motorsports all too well. Without the support of McLaren and Mercedes, his historic career—marked by 105 wins and seven world titles—might never have gotten off the ground. He emphasized how crucial it was to have backing from top-tier teams, a luxury he acknowledges not every young driver can afford.
Beyond the financial strain, Hamilton also addressed the educational sacrifices many aspiring drivers are making. He highlighted the risks of young racers forsaking their schooling in the hopes of pursuing an F1 dream that will elude all but a fraction of them.
“You must have to stay in school and get your education. Over 99%, probably, of the drivers don’t get to Formula One, maybe more, a higher percentage. It would be great for them to be able to have something to fall back on,” he cautioned.
As he prepares for the 2024 US Grand Prix in Austin, Hamilton is still fighting to end his Mercedes chapter on a high. Despite his personal triumphs, including a career-defining ninth win at Silverstone, the W15 car has been a thorn in his side, especially in qualifying sessions. Mercedes has promised fresh upgrades for the upcoming race, and Hamilton is hopeful they will give him the edge he needs to perform at his best.
“It’s a good track, it’s one of the best circuits for racing, so I’m looking forward to going there. And yeah, hopefully, our upgrades work there,” he said.
Hamilton’s tenure with Mercedes has been nothing short of legendary, and both the team and the driver are pushing to finish strong before the Brit makes his move to Ferrari. As his final races with the team approach, Hamilton’s reflections highlight both his immense gratitude and his worries for the future of a sport that is growing increasingly out of reach for many talented hopefuls.
