LEWIS HAMILTON has passed on invaluable advice to Mercedes’ stars of the future.
The seven-time world champion fielded questions from junior drivers as the Silver Arrows unveiled their new W13 car at Silverstone on Friday.
Hamilton, 37, was asked by 14-year-old Alex Powell about how to inspire budding karters in other parts of the world.
Powell said: “I come from the Caribbean and that’s where I started my go-karting career.
“In my limited capacity I try to encourage other karters from the Caribbean to achieve whatever their goal is.
“But with your experience as a seven-time world champion, what advice would you give to them?”
Hamilton replied: “I think firstly, I commend you on that, and I think it’s really just about believing in yourself.
“If you have a goal, if you have an ambition, it’s never losing sight of that and staying focused.
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“Each and every one of you has a unique ability and I can see already the drive in all of your eye, which really connects us because we’ve all had that since very young.
“And I think really just, as I said, just never give up on your dream, never give up on your goal.
“It takes hard work and dedication so, you know, focus and give it absolutely everything.
“And naturally, I think the most important thing is education. Make sure you work hard at school – because that is the foundation to enable us to do what we do in the cars we have today.”
I never, ever said that I was going to stop
Lewis Hamilton
Hamilton also lifted the lid on retirement rumours that surrounded him during the off-season.
The Brit said: “I never, ever said that I was going to stop. I love doing what I do, and it is such a privilege working with this large group of people.
“You really feel like you’re part of a team and part of a family, working towards that common goal. There’s no feeling quite like it.
“But yeah… it was obviously a difficult time for me, and it was a time where I really needed to take a step back and focus on being present. I had my family all around me, and creating great moments.
“And I eventually got to a point where I decided I was going to be attacking coming into another season, and working with Toto [Wolff] and George [Russell].
“It’s exciting seeing George come in and bringing his energy. I can already feel that throughout the team. I think it’s going to be an exciting season.”
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk