Advertisement League of Ireland Horse Racing TV Listings GAA Fixtures The Video Review Behind the Lines Sportswriters discuss their careers and the work that inspires them. Rugby Weekly Extra Dive into all the news and analysis 3 times a week The Football Family Weekly insights from the week’s big talking points Advertisement More Stories Alamy Stock Photo FreeNon Issue 'I just use that as fuel' - Hamilton unbothered by criticism over Ferrari switch Hamilton was speaking ahead of next month’s Formula One curtain raiser in Australia. 8.41pm, 28 Feb 2025 Share options LEWIS HAMILTON SAYS he is fuelled by criticism after completing the final outing in his Ferrari ahead of his full debut for the Italian giants at next month’s Formula One curtain raiser in Australia. Hamilton set the sixth quickest time as testing drew to a close in Bahrain, and completed 47 laps to take his tally for the week to 162 – the equivalent of nearly three race distances. Hamilton, who turned 40 in January, made the switch to Ferrari following 12 seasons with Mercedes, but his form was indifferent in his final years at the Silver Arrows. In an interview with Time Magazine, released on Thursday, the publication made reference to former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan’s claim that it was “absolutely suicidal” for Ferrari to replace Carlos Sainz with Hamilton. Advertisement The seven-time world champion said in the interview: “I’ve always welcomed the negativity. I never, ever reply to any of the older, ultimately, white men who have commented on my career and what they think I should be doing. How you show up, how you present yourself, how you perform slowly dispels that.” And addressing his comments on Friday in Bahrain, Hamilton continued: “I actually haven’t had a second to read the story but I’ve heard it’s come out really well. “Naturally in our sport, criticism is something that everyone receives. I’ve probably received a lot more of it, perhaps, throughout my career. “I’m just in the mindset that I keep my head down and keep doing what I’m doing. I know that I’m growing each day, I know that I’m bound to make mistakes. I’m human. “But one thing that I’m proud of is that I have the drive, I have the focus, I’m able to admit when I’m wrong. And I know that tomorrow, I’ll work to be better. “It really doesn’t matter to me about some of the comments that have come out over my career. It’s not just been this past 12 months or so. I just use that as fuel.” Hamilton’s former Mercedes team-mate George Russell set the pace on the final day in Bahrain, finishing 0.021 seconds clear of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen with Williams’ Alex Albon just a tenth back. But with the teams trialling different tyres, fuel loads and engine modes, the true pace of the field will only be discovered when the grid arrives in Albert Park for the first race on 16 March. Hamilton, bidding to win a record eighth crown, said: “I’ve learned that you really can’t judge too much from the first outlook. “I definitely think in past years, particularly in the previous generation of car, it was much easier to know where you stood quite early on. “But I would say this is the most positive feeling that I’ve had in a long time. That’s all I can really say for now.” Press Association Viewcomments Send Tip or Correction Embed this post To embed this post, copy the code below on your site Email “'I just use that as fuel' - Hamilton unbothered by criticism over Ferrari switch”. Recipient's Email Feedback on “'I just use that as fuel' - Hamilton unbothered by criticism over Ferrari switch”. Your Feedback Your Email (optional) Report a Comment Please select the reason for reporting this comment. Please give full details of the problem with the comment... This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. 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