Norris defends Hamilton after ca…read more
Lando Norris has come to the defense of Lewis Hamilton, following recent criticisms regarding the champion’s F1Norris defends Hamilton after ca… career after his move to Ferrari. Hamilton’s switch to the Italian team has not propelled him into the fight for the championship, with his recent performances, particularly in comparison to teammate Charles Leclerc, raising questions. At the Spanish Grand Prix, Hamilton himself admitted to a “terrible” performance, offering a downcast post-race interview while his former McLaren rivals achieved a one-two finish.
Former Mercedes driver and Hamilton’s ex-teammate Nico Rosberg questioned whether age had affected the champion’s abilities, voicing his confusion at Hamilton’s loss of form during a Sky broadcast. Rosberg speculated if Hamilton’s recent decline was due to his age, a sentiment that has sparked debate in the F1 community. Despite these concerns, Hamilton has received significant support from McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, who praised the seven-time world champion in an interview shared on the team’s official website.
Norris, who has been in F1 for a number of years, revealed that Hamilton was a major inspiration for his own career, having supported him when he first began following the sport. “When I started watching Formula 1, I was supporting Lewis Hamilton,” Norris said. “Lewis was the guy at McLaren, and he was kind of a reason why I got into Formula 1 in the first place.” Norris expressed immense admiration for Hamilton, acknowledging that he was the figure who made Norris want to pursue racing in F1.
Oscar Piastri, Norris’s McLaren teammate, also voiced his admiration for Hamilton, agreeing with Norris on the champion’s status as one of F1’s greatest drivers. “He’s up there in regards to the greats of F1,” Piastri remarked, setting aside their competition on the track to praise Hamilton’s remarkable career and achievements.
Beyond his success on the track, Hamilton has also made a significant impact off it, particularly in the area of social justice. He has been an outspoken advocate for racial equality, climate change awareness, and education reform. His charitable foundation, Mission 44, recently released recommendations to the UK government, focusing on tackling exclusion and suspension issues in schools. Hamilton’s advocacy extends beyond the realm of motorsport, and his influence has reached the political sphere. He recently met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street, where he shared his personal struggles with the education system, expressing how he felt that school had “failed” him.
Norris continued to express his admiration for Hamilton, recognizing not only the driver’s unparalleled success in F1 but also his ability to remain focused on racing while accomplishing so much outside the sport. Norris acknowledged the magnitude of Hamilton’s career achievements, noting, “Seven World Championships, over 100 wins – if I get anywhere close to that in my racing career, then I’ll be pretty happy!” Norris emphasized that Hamilton’s dedication to both his racing career and his advocacy work sets an exceptional standard for F1 drivers. “It’s not only that, but also what he’s done away from the track. It’s not easy to accomplish so much away from the track and remain focused on racing,” Norris added.
Hamilton’s legacy in F1 remains strong, not just for his record-breaking accomplishments on the track but also for the standard he has set for athletes using their platform to drive change in society.
