Lewis Hamilton Responds to Toto Wolff's 'Shelf Life' Comment: 'I’m Built Different'
The British race car driver said he was still focused on winning despite his age: "You can’t compare me to another 40-year-old."
Lewis Hamilton sent a stern message to anyone who doubted his ability at 40 years old: “Don’t ever compare me to anybody else.”
The British racing driver issued the warning in a newly published interview with TIME magazine, just months after confirming he was leaving the Mercedes team to join Ferrari. At one point during the interview, Hamilton — who turned 40 on January 7 — addressed an eyebrow-raising comment from Mercedes chief Toto Wolff.
Wolff’s remarks appeared in the book Inside Mercedes F1: Life in the Fast Lane, in which he addressed Hamilton’s decision to quit the team after 12 seasons. Wolff suggested he approved of Hamilton’s move because it helped the team dodge an uncomfortable conversation.
“It helps us because it avoids the moment where we need to tell the sport’s most iconic driver that we want to stop,” Wolff said. “We’re in a sport where cognitive sharpness is extremely important, and I believe everyone has a shelf life.”
Hamilton dismissed Wolff’s comments, insisting he still had plenty of gas in the tank.
“I’m the first and only Black driver that’s ever been in this sport,” he told TIME. I’m built different. I’ve been through a lot. I’ve had my own journey. You can’t compare me to another 40-year-old, past or present, Formula One driver in history. Because they are nothing like me. I’m hungry, driven, don’t have a wife and kids. I’m focused on one thing, and that’s winning. That’s my No. 1 priority.”
The seven-time Formula One world champion also compared himself to other legendary athletes, like ex-NFL quarterback Tom Brady, who retired at 44, and NBA star LeBron James, who is playing his 22nd season at 40.
Hamilton also addressed criticism from former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan, who claimed it was “suicidal” for Ferrari to replace Carlos Sainz with Hamilton.
“I’ve always welcomed the negativity,” Hamilton said. “I never, ever reply to any of the older, ultimately, white men who have commented on my career and what they think I should be doing. How you show up, how you present yourself, how you perform slowly dispels that.”
