Lewis Hamilton Raises Alarm on Abuse Facing F1 Rookies

Lewis Hamilton has spoken about an important issue facing new drivers in Formula 1 today. With more rookies joining the grid, including Kimi Antonelli for Mercedes and Gabriel Bortoleto, last season’s Formula 2 champion, Hamilton says the pressures have changed a lot since he started in F1 back in 2007.

Social media is a big part of this shift. Hamilton explained that when he arrived in Formula 1, there was no online world like there is today, which means new drivers now face a much higher risk of negative comments and public criticism every week.

He pointed out that the sport has grown in popularity, which brings more attention and greater demands from both the media and fans. According to Hamilton, the level of fame and the speed at which news spreads online make it even more intense for modern drivers.

Hamilton praised the way current rookies have adapted to these challenges, calling them mature and well-prepared to handle the load.

He remembered how, when he first joined Formula 1, it felt like being thrown into a difficult situation without the tools needed to handle the sudden spotlight. Yet, back then, feedback was mainly from traditional media and supporters at the track, not from thousands of people online.

Beyond racing, Hamilton said there are more off-track demands, too. Apart from performing on race day, drivers must attend media events, spend time with fans, and keep up a strong presence on social channels.

Every mistake or piece of news can then be shared and discussed by people all around the world. These extra pressures can add up quickly for anyone new to the sport.

This past week, F1’s focus stretched beyond racing, as a podcast episode discussed recent controversies from the Canadian Grand Prix. Highlights included Red Bull’s protest against George Russell—who leads Mercedes—and the crash between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri at McLaren.

Team strategies and driver relationships remain key talking points for both fans and experts. In the 2025 F1 standings, Oscar Piastri from McLaren leads with 198 points, ahead of Lando Norris, Max Verstappen, and George Russell.

Lewis Hamilton, now driving for Ferrari, sits in sixth place with 79 points. The team standings show McLaren out front with 374 points, trailed by Mercedes and Ferrari. Notably, Ferrari’s current demands on their drivers have been under the spotlight this season.

Following that, Silverstone will host the British Grand Prix on July 6 before teams head to Spa in Belgium and then Hungary and the Netherlands later in the summer. As the schedule fills up, both rookies and veterans will need to handle the spotlight and the unique pressures that come with today’s racing world. Recent incidents illustrate how intense the challenges can be during key events like Monaco.

John Martinez

John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio’s Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.