Lewis Hamilton is ‘last of dying breed’

Editor

Anthony Hamilton says that his son, British Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton, is the last of a dying breed of drivers from less-privileged backgrounds.

“There will be talented young people who have put their time in, whose parents have had the money and the wherewithal to do that… But for someone to come from a less well-off, less-affluent background, I think Lewis is the last of it,” Anthony Hamilton told City A.M.

“He is the last of it, because everyone else that I’m aware of who is in the industry has come from an affluent background, who has money behind them.”

Williams have recruited 18-year-old Lance Stroll, the son of a Canadian billionaire, while fellow teen Max Verstappen — the son of former F1 driver Jos Verstappen — drives for Red Bull and Jolyon Palmer, son of Jonathan Palmer, is with Renault.

“I think Lewis is going to be the last of it. Sport should be for all, [but] when it comes to motorsport I think it’s gone from a point when it used to be for everyone and now it’s just for the elite.”

Anthony Hamilton said he is confident his son can add to his three Drivers’ Championships at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix this weekend.

Lewis Hamilton needs to finish on the podium and hope Nico Rosberg is far enough behind for him to leapfrog his team-mate on the points’ table.