LEWIS HAMILTON insists he is still fully focused on Formula One – despite experiencing a difficult few years.

The seven-time world champion, who turned 40 last month, is embarking on a brand new era with Ferrari.

Having spent 11 years with Mercedes, he left in December to join the Italian team on a multi-year deal.

Before he completed the switch, Mercedes chief Toto Wolff appeared to take aim at the Brit, suggesting: “Everyone has a shelf life.”

Although Wolff later claimed the quote had been taken out of context, Hamilton was keen to respond in a recent interview with TIME Magazine.

The Brit insisted that his journey has made him unique in his own right.

He said: “Don’t ever compare me to anybody else. I’m the first and only Black driver that’s ever been in this sport.

“I’m built different. I’ve been through a lot. I’ve had my own journey.”

Hamilton also briefly touched on his life away from the track, adding: “You can’t compare me to another 40-year-old, past or present, Formula One driver in history. Because they are nothing like me.

“I’m hungry, driven, don’t have a wife and kids. I’m focused on one thing, and that’s winning. That’s my No.1 priority.”

The F1 icon likes to keep his personal life private for the most part.

His most public relationship was with Pussycat Dolls star Nicole Sherzinger.

After having an on/off romance that spanned seven years, they eventually called it quits in 2016.

Hamilton has also been in rumoured relationships with other celebrities in the past, including Rita Ora, Barbara Palvin, Winnie Harlow and Danielle Lloyd.

In 2023 he was romantically linked with Colombian singer Shakira, but their relationship never went past the friend zone.

And last month he was spotted on a dinner date with actress Sofia Vergara.