Seven time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton feels the sport has become a club for the riches, and wants it to become more accessible to the people who come from all kinds of backgrounds.
Pursuing a career in motorsports is not cheap. Unlike combat sports, athletics or team sports, building a career in motor racing in present times is pretty hefty on the pockets for someone who is not able to afford the same.
Point to be noted, there have been drivers like Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris, who come from a rather “humble” backgrounds, but still established themselves as big names, Hamilton still feels F1 is now a sport for the “billionaires boys.”
In a recent interview with AS, Hamilton admitted the costly aspect of pursuing a career in motorsport and insisted that if he himself was from a more humble background, he wouldn’t have achieved the success he has achieved today.
“For me personally, we live in a time when this (F1) has become a billionaire boys’ club,” the Mercedes maestro said, “if I had to start over from a working-class family, it would be impossible for me to be here today. Because the other kids would have a hell of a lot more money.“
“We have to work to change that and make this an accessible sport, for the rich and for people with a more humble background,” the 36-year-old Briton acknowledged.
Norris and Leclerc have huge potentials: Hamilton
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While F1 fans have their own GOATs in the sport, on paper Hamilton has surpassed everyone else’s records, and is on the verge to win his 8th championship, a record which he currently shares with seven time world champion Michael Schumacher.
The community knows that Hamilton’s career in F1 will come to an end in the next few years, and there will be a successor who takes his place. Although Verstappen is the probable answer for many, Hamilton himself feels otherwise and vouches for Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc ahead of the Red Bull Racing star.
“There is a good group of young talent here. If given the chance, Lando [Norris] for me has huge potential, and also Charles [Leclerc]. I can’t predict which of them will lead the sport,” said Hamilton.
