Hamilton unfazed by threat of youngsters

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Lewis Hamilton unfazed by threat of youngsters

Lewis Hamilton unfazed by threat of youngsters

Lewis Hamilton says he isn’t fazed about either his own age or the challenge presented by those much younger than him.

The Mercedes driver turns 35 in January and is the second oldest driver on the grid, behind only Kimi Raikkonen. However, he’s focusing only on the positives of growing older.

“I don’t feel it’s a big issue at the moment. I by no means feel old,” Hamilton said to Crash.net.

“I feel super light on my feet and healthier than I’ve ever been if I’m being honest.

“Of course when I was 25-years-old I had age on my side a little bit more so then but I lacked the knowledge and experience that I have now, and that’s not something you can leapfrog. There’s no quick way to get to the experience and the knowledge that I have today.

“Each year I’m constantly looking at how I can be fitter, how I can be more focused, how I can have more energy, which all compliment my natural ability to do what I do.”

In 2019 it was youngsters Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc, both 22, that posed the biggest threat to Hamilton on track, rather than fellow veteran and career-long rival Sebastian Vettel, but the Briton says he’s not concerned about the emerging talents.

“It doesn’t faze me in the slightest and I’m excited that there are these youngsters are coming. Every day is a school day and every day is a day to be schooled. I just continue to do what I do.”

Hamilton’s contract at Mercedes comes to an end at the end of next season, but there are no signs that he will then retire, with rumours growing that he will instead sign for Ferrari for 2021, along with Toto Wolff.

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