LEWIS HAMILTON has hit back at those who have criticised his move to Ferrari and says people will always “continue to talk s***”.
Hamilton, 39, has decided to end his contract with Mercedes early to join Ferrari for next season.
The blockbuster switch has sparked a huge reaction within the sport, but the seven-time world champion says he doesn’t need to prove to people why he made his decision.
Hamilton, who has made a slow start to the season as Mercedes continue to struggle, was quizzed ahead of this weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix about the move.
He said: “I don’t feel like I need my decision vindicating. I know what was right for me, and that hasn’t changed since the moment that I made the decision.
“There has not been a moment where I questioned it, and I’m not swayed by other people’s comments.
“Even today, there’s people continuing to talk s*** and it will continue on for the rest of the year. And I’ll have to just do what I did the previous time.
“Only you can know what’s right for you and it will be an exciting time for me.”
Hamilton will be 40 when he makes his Ferrari debut in the opening race in Melbourne next season.
But he says age is not a barrier as Fernando Alonso has signed a new deal with Aston Martin until 2026 that will take him past his 45th birthday.
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Hamilton added: “I am not the oldest driver here. I am going to be racing for quite some time still so it is good [Alonso] is still around.
“Fernando is one of the best drivers we’ve had in the sport so for him to continue to be here and continue to have the output he’s had just shows what is possible.
“And shows the new era of an athlete, what the human body can do and continue to do if you nurture it.
“I never thought I would be racing into my 40s. I’m pretty sure I said I wouldn’t. But life is such a crazy trip. I don’t feel 40. I generally feel great.”
Meanwhile, F1 drivers have questioned whether the Chinese GP bosses were right to paint the track surface with bitumen.
The hard-wearing oily substance has been used on the track, which will host its first race in five years, much to the surprise of the teams and tyre suppliers, Pirelli.
“It looks like they painted the track or they’ve done something to the surface,” said Daniel Ricciardo, who won the race in 2018.
“Apparently, they’ve just painted it or something, so I don’t know how the track is going to change; if it’s going to be the same or super slippery.
“Maybe that changes the way the tyres behave,” he added, “so it could also open up some things for overtaking or strategies.”
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc added: “It depends a lot on the type of paint they used. That could cause different issues or have no issues at all. I hope it’s the latter that will be the case.
“For now, it’s very difficult to predict. I have only seen pictures, I haven’t gone around the track yet. I don’t think it’s the same everywhere, which might not be great.
“Before adding further comments, I think we just have to drive and see how it feels.”
