Former Ferrari driver Rene Arnoux on Lewis Hamilton: "I like the driver, not the character"

Lewis Hamilton will be 38 on January 7. In the recent history of Formula 1 only Alain Prost and Nigel Mansell have been able to become world champions at that age. For this reason, the Englishman’s hunt for the eighth world title, which would allow him to overcome Scuderia Ferrari legend Michael Schumacher as the most successful driver in the history of Formula 1, becomes even more fascinating. However, the last season was the worst of Lewis Hamilton’s career, due to a Mercedes car that for most of the year didn’t prove to be particularly competitive: the British veteran therefore ended the 2022 Formula One championship without any victory for the first time in his career.

On the other hand, Lewis Hamilton continues to be very active on several fronts outside the world of circuits. From fashion to the commitment against discrimination, in fact, the seven-time Formula 1 world champion has now become greater than his own sport. Many now distinguish between the Lewis Hamilton driver and his ‘character’, using this second term to refer to everything that goes beyond the traditional activity of Formula 1.

On the other hand, it was the Mercedes #44 himself, on several occasions, who admitted that he wanted to use his presence in Formula 1 as a platform for addressing important issues that certainly are not limited to the world of sport alone. Many of his initiatives are commendable, but not everyone appreciates this mix.

René Arnoux, a former Renault and Ferrari driver, shared his thoughts about Lewis Hamilton’s approach and precisely about this aspect during a long interview with the Gazzetta dello Sport. “I don’t like Lewis Hamilton very much as a character” – said the 74-year-old Frenchman – “I didn’t like that he asked Mercedes to make the car black. For me it was a disappointment. In Toto Wolff’s place I would have made the car half white and half black. It would have been a much more effective and positive message. A smarter message. I’m tired of people fueling the black-white problem. Also because in the races at the finish line, when the flag drops, white, black, green or yellow, I don’t give a damn. The important thing is that people are educated.” – the former Ferrari driver continued.

Show your support for Scuderia Ferrari with official merchandise collection! Click here to enter the F1 online Store and shop securely! And also get your F1 tickets for every race with VIP hospitality and unparalleled insider access. Click here for the best offers to support Charles and Carlos from the track!

Comments that are clearly destined to cause discussion, exactly like those expressed by Rene Arnoux regarding the look often sported for Lewis Hamilton at the entrance to circuits around the world: “I don’t like the way he dresses. Sometimes it seems completely weird to me. It’s his way, of course, everyone does as they think. But he doesn’t need to get noticed – concluded Rene Arnoux – or to prove anything. Also because I don’t understand what he wants to demonstrate by dressing like that. But as a driver, nothing to say” – the former Renault and Ferrari Formula 1 driver said.