For a while now, Formula 1 has become a sport where money speaks louder than talent. Also, this scenario is more prevalent for more financially dependent teams at the bottom of the pecking order.
Lewis Hamilton is rather concerned with this development and expressed his opinion on the matter.
According to the seven-time world champion, Formula 1 has become a ‘club’ exclusively for billionaire’s kids. Hamilton also said that due to the current scenario, it would be impossible for drivers from a working-class family to feature in F1.
The Brit thinks that this practice should stop and F1 authorities should take action to make the sport available to drivers from all backgrounds.
What did Hamilton say?
In an interview with AS, Hamilton said, “For me personally, we live in a time where this has become a billionaire kids’ club. If I were to start over from a working-class family, it would be impossible for me to be here today,
“Because the other boys would have a lot more money. We have to work to change that and make this an accessible sport, for the rich and for people with a more humble origin.”
Nikita Mazepin is one driver who joined the sport with massive financial backing. With Haas having a turbulent previous two seasons, their budget has suffered massively.
To reinforce their progress, the outfit signed a pay driver who not only brought money but also a few sponsors including Uralkali, their title sponsor.
The Mercedes driver also spoke about how Formula 1 will always have ‘an era’. According to him, Robert Kubica and Nico Rosberg represented the end of an era. But they made way for drivers like Lando Norris, Carlos Sainz, and Charles Leclerc.
“I don’t know if what I think matters much, I don’t know if I can judge if it’s a good or a bad generation. There are always riders who arrive, in my case I did it with Nico, and Kubica, Alonso was just before the Schumacher era…there will always be an era,” he said.
While it is true that the essence of Formula 1 is slowly fading away, there are drivers who had to leave the sport as they were unable to gather financial backing through sponsors.
One example of this is Callum Illot.
Let us know what you think in the comments below!
Read More: “Very, very different”: Sainz on where the biggest adjustment has come following Ferrari transition
Lewis is absolutely right.