Lewis Hamilton highlights 'abuse' concern for F1 rookies

Lewis Hamilton has highlighted a key challenge current young drivers face compared to when he was in his early years in F1.

The F1 grid contains a large crop of rookies, including Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli and reigning F2 champion Gabriel Bortoleto.

Hamilton made his F1 debut 18 years ago, however the online world has changed substantially in that time with the rise of social media.

The seven-time champion pointed out the rookies are having to deal with an increase in abuse compared to when he first joined the grid.

“I mean, the times have changed,” Hamilton told media including RacingNews365.

“I would say the racing space has probably got a lot busier with the fame of the sport, so it’s probably more intense.

“Maybe the media is more reactive, maybe. You’ve got social media presence and online abuse that we didn’t have when I got to the sport.”

Hamilton commended how the current crop of drivers have approached the start of their F1 careers, stating they are much more equipped to deal with pressures compared to his initial jump to the series. 

“It’s been pretty amazing to see how mature the young drivers that have come in – young men that have come in – have adapted and how they’ve carried that weight, because it’s no easy situation to be thrown into,” he said.

“When I got there, it felt like being thrown into the deep end without having the skills to keep yourself afloat. But there wasn’t the online stuff that you could see, and that’s significant.

“There are probably even more demands on the drivers today, outside of the car, than ever before.”