Lewis Hamilton hopes to leave a “positive” legacy in Formula 1 through his achievements on the track.
The six-time world champion turns 35 on Tuesday and will enter his 14th season in 2020, having grown from a young starlet at McLaren to be in the conversation as one of the greatest ever, matching and surpassing records many thought impossible to catch.
Not only that, Hamilton has used his F1 success to grow a brand away from the track, with fashion collaborations and efforts to focus attention on climate change.
So interestingly, when asked directly about his legacy, the Briton’s response was quite surprising.
“I was with my dad the other day and he brought it up but it’s a difficult one. I don’t put too much energy or thought process towards it,” Lewis said via Crash.net.
“Naturally, the things that I am doing hopefully will lead to some sort of legacy and I’m trying to make sure that it’s a positive one, but again, I don’t put a huge amount of thought on it.
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“I don’t know at what age you would say you have a legacy and I’ve got to try and make sure that I enjoy these moments,” he continued.
“At the end of the season, I’m looking forward to sitting up with my feet in front of the fireplace with my niece and nephew probably jumping around me and thinking what an incredible year it’s been. It’s really important to enjoy that.”
Hamilton’s boss at Mercedes, Toto Wolff, has often suggested it won’t be until after he retires that the current polarisation that surrounds him will give way to respect of what he has accomplished in F1.
But the man himself insists his focus remains on what he can control.
“I hope it’s a good legacy [I leave] but you don’t know how long each person’s life is going to be so I can’t really get too far ahead,” he claimed.
“All I can try and do is try and focus on now and shaping the following months and years ahead of me.”
