Lewis Hamilton has narrated how he deals with criticism and uses it as “fuel” to motivate himself, Afrosport reports.
The seven-time world champion has drawn a lot of attention since his move to Ferrari from Mercedes was made official at the start of the year.
His blockbuster switch to the Scuderia has drawn both positive and negative reactions, particularly as he eyes an elusive eighth world championship title that would make him the outright most successful driver in the history of the sport.
“Naturally in our sport, criticism is something that everyone receives,” the 40-year-old told the F1 website. “I think I’ve probably received a lot more of it perhaps throughout my career.
“I’m just in the mindset [that] I just keep my head down, keep doing what I’m doing. I know that I’m growing each day, I know I’m bound to make mistakes – I’m only human.
“But one thing I’m proud of is that I have the drive, I have the focus, I’m able to admit when I’m wrong, and I know that tomorrow I will work to be better.
“It really doesn’t matter to me, some of the comments that have come out over my career – it’s not just been this past 12 months or so. I just use that as fuel.”
In the perfect spot 👌 pic.twitter.com/F4xJiMUZsM
— Scuderia Ferrari HP (@ScuderiaFerrari) March 10, 2025
Reflecting on his experience so far at Ferrari, Hamilton added: “It’s one thing seeing it from outside, but then when you’re actually in it, it’s pretty extreme, it’s pretty incredible.
“Just from speaking to the whole team, seeing the whole team at the factory all in one space and seeing how passionate and excited everyone [is], walking around all the different departments… people who just live and breathe Ferrari.
“It’s what you grow up dreaming of getting to work at, those smaller places and towns in Italy where they’ve grown up dreaming of one day being there. [You can see] how proud they are to work there, and how much pride they take in their work is really beautiful to see.
“The Tifosi, I could see it obviously watching Charles [Leclerc] and Carlos [Sainz] over the years and with Sebastian [Vettel], but to be on the receiving end of it is a new experience that I couldn’t have imagined exactly.”
Hamilton will race in Ferrari colours for the very first time at the Australian Grand Prix this weekend.
