Lewis Hamilton knows he is facing a stiffer task every year to stay ahead of the young talent emerging in Formula 1.
In addition to Max Verstappen, who has been around since 2016, Charles Leclerc has joined the battle at the front of the grid this season following his promotion to Ferrari.
However, they are just two in a lengthening list of names, with Esteban Ocon, Lando Norris, George Russell and more all of whom have shown the potential to succeed.
"I’m game for new drivers coming through," Hamilton was quoted by F1i.com.
"They come through with new techniques, new driving styles, new aggression so it definitely is refreshing and it’s great to see."
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At 34, the five-time champion is now the third-oldest driver on the grid but he doesn't see himself as an idol for the youngsters coming through.
"I don’t look at any of them and think that they looked at me and think they wanted to beat me," he claimed.
"I’ve heard some of them talk about other drivers like [Ayrton] Senna and Michael [Schumacher].
"Obviously I’ve been where they are and I can empathise with the experience they’re going through and the challenges that they all face in their own way throughout the year and the following years," Hamilton added.
"I’ve got my work cut out to try and stay ahead of them, which gets harder and harder every year.
"If anyone could do it, I guess then it wouldn’t be a special job."
To sustain that Hamilton is remaining healthy on a vegan diet, which he first switched to in 2017, and revealed how he was able to take advantage of new weight rules to bulk up this year.
"Adding weight was easy and I did this on a vegan diet," he said via Instagram.
"People say 'oh I need my protein and that's why I could never go vegan'
"I have plenty of protein in my diet and I've gained muscle, and I'm healthier and happier than I've ever been. Wish I did it sooner."
