Tsunoda praises Hamilton: 'Honoured to race with him'

Lewis Hamilton is, statistically, the most successful driver in Formula 1 history. Given his status and successes, the seven-time world champion is an inspiration to many up-and-coming talents. A number of current Formula 1 drivers were still racing karts when Hamilton won his first world title.

This weekend, Hamilton hopes to get his Mercedes back to the front. Fan adulation will be huge. Charles Leclerc, turning out for Ferrari, can relate: "I grew up watching Formula One and obviously Lewis was part of the drivers, always on top and fighting for championships. He's definitely a part of me dreaming of becoming a Formula One driver one day."

'Great to have Hamilton in F1'

Leclerc continued: "I think of what he's doing now. He's obviously going over the only driver kind of thing and he's doing many more things outside of Formula One that are helping Formula One to expand even more. So it's great to have him. Having said that, whenever I put the helmet, Lewis is a driver like every other and I try to beat him as much as the others, but it's great to have him on the grid. I think it's amazing for the sport."

AlphaTauri's Yuki Tsunoda remembers well how, as a seven-year-old, he saw Hamilton at the Japanese Grand Prix with his own eyes. "I can't believe I got to race with him," Tsunoda says. "Every time I saw him on the track, I just feel excited. So yeah, it just feels definitely unreal. And at the same time, I'm feeling honoured and happy that I'm able to race with him."