Lewis Hamilton an inspiration as he has "guts to be different"

Hamilton in Saudi Arabia — Photo: © LAT Images

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Hamilton an inspiration as he has "guts to be different"

Seven-time champion is a leading voice against societal issues

Ewan Gale

Tuesday 5 April 2022 05:00

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Former Williams test driver and the CEO of the Venturi Formula E team Susie Wolff has declared herself "inspired" by Lewis Hamilton and the "guts" it has taken for him to be different.

Seven-time F1 champion Hamilton is a leading voice in the paddock on societal issues including racism, gender equality and abuse against members of the LGBTQ+ community.

The Mercedes driver also spoke out against the Saudi Arabian regime in Jeddah two weeks ago after a series of mass executions in the Kingdom.

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Addressing Hamilton's activism in speaking to the Beyond the Grid podcast, Wolff, wife of Mercedes team principal Toto, said: “I’m inspired by Lewis as a racing driver, but also as a human being.

"Obviously, I see some of the negative comments around what he does, and how vocal he is in different areas, but you know what it takes guts to be different.

“I know that to a lesser extent, because I was different always in the paddock, and it’s easy to be the same as everyone else, it’s easy just to rock up, race, leave and not worry.

“But he has the guts to be different, to stand up and to use his platform for other causes, and that’s also got to be commended because the easier route is to do nothing."

Hamilton "absolutely" the same person as he was in karting

Wolff competed against Hamilton when the pair were juniors in karting 22 years ago, with both reunited as part of the Mercedes family in F1.

Despite all the fame and fortune, Hamilton has accrued through his success, Wolff has insisted he is "absolutely" the same person as he was when they competed against each other.

“Just two days ago, we were reminiscing about something that had happened in the karting days that we had remembered," added Wolff.

"If I haven’t seen him for a while, the first thing he does is ask me how my parents, John and Sally, are and we reminisce a lot.

“I watched some of the races together with Anthony, his dad, and he’s absolutely the same.

“I just have so much admiration and respect for Lewis, what he’s achieved, how he manages his life to be the best possible racing driver that he can be."

On what separates Hamilton from other drivers, the Scot said: “For me what is incredible to watch is just how deep he can dig in moments of pressure.

“I didn’t have that, to that extent, as a racing driver, but he has an incredible ability in the car, and out of the car.”