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Lewis Hamilton says that he finds Formula 1's current group of young drivers 'refreshing', as he sees different driving styles and approaches.
Ferrari opted to promote Charles Leclerc to the team this season after he spent just one year with Sauber, while Max Verstappen has embedded himself in Red Bull, following his signing in 2016.
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The three rookies of 2019 (Lando Norris, Alexander Albon and George Russell) have all impressed at the opening races of the season.
Hamilton states that he doesn't analyse the new upcoming drivers, but admits that he is encouraged by the pace that they have shown.
"I’m game for new drivers coming through,” Hamilton said. “They come through with new techniques, new driving styles, new aggression so it definitely is refreshing and it’s great to see.
“Each year I just focus on trying to improve myself as a driver and welcome the new guys that come through. I don’t look at any of them and think that they looked at me and think they wanted to beat me.”
Hamilton arrived in Formula 1 as a young superstar in 2007, battling teammate Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen for the world championship.
The Briton thinks that he will have to stay on top of his game to avoid coming under pressure from the young drivers.
“I’ve heard some of them talk about other drivers like [Aryton] Senna and Michael [Schumacher],” he said.
“Obviously I’ve been where they are and I can empathise with the experience they’re going through and the challenges that they all face in their own way in the races throughout the year and the following years.
“I’ve got my work cut out to try and stay ahead of them, which gets harder and harder every year. If anyone could do it, I guess then it wouldn’t be a special job.”
Azerbaijan Grand Prix
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I agree, the recent batch of younglings has been very impressive so far. Sensible, skilled and smellfree (allegedly... I just needed a 3rd S-word).