Hamilton explains how his approach to other drivers has changed

Lewis Hamilton has revealed how his approach to his relationships with other drivers has changed in recent years.

The seven-time World Champion admits that there is a challenge in balancing the desire to beat rivals with being amiable with them outside of the car.

However, he believes that the drivers in the field have more likenesses than differences.

"We have a lot more in common than we think," Hamilton told the On Purpose with Jay Shetty podcast.

"But we're so competitive, and a lot of us have our defence. You want to beat the guy – you might like the person outside the car, but you can't show that.

"There's this whole psychological battle you're having with yourself, and [you can] get in the way of yourself a lot of the time."

Hamilton hopes to be 'positive light' to younger drivers

With that in mind, Hamilton has tried to "reach out" to younger drivers in the hope of being a positive influence.

"I really feel like, as an older driver, I'm trying to be reaching out [more] to youngsters, because they're the future," the Mercedes driver continued.

"I'm excited to see some of these young drivers coming through. [They're] so, so talented.

"I don't know if they've got the best structure around them, like I didn't necessarily have the ultimate structure that I perhaps have now, so [I] just try to be kind of a positive light to them.

"But naturally, none of them are black, and none of them have necessarily faced the same as me, but they've faced their own challenges and I think it's about respecting that within everybody."

Hamilton has also expressed his gratitude to the drivers who have joined him in taking a stand on political and social issues.

"I've tried to create allies, in having the difficult conversations with some of them," he added.

"I'm so grateful for about a couple of them that really took the knee with me in 2020."