Lewis Hamilton Labels Formula One A "Billionaire Kids' Club"

Lewis Hamilton has dubbed Formula One a "billionaire kids' club" and has called for the sport to be more widely accessible to kids growing up.

The 36-year-old is one of the lucky ones who was fortunate enough to get his breakthrough despite his poorer upbringing.

Now he wants that to change, knowing that it would be extremely hard for someone of his background to make it in F1 in today's world.

"For me personally, we live in a time where this has become a billionaire kids' club," Hamilton told AS.

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"If I were to start over from a working-class family, it would be impossible for me to be here today.

"Because the other boys would have a lot more money.

"We have to work to change that and make this an accessible sport, for the rich and for people with a more humble origin."

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With the most ever wins and joint-most championships, Hamilton is the F1's cash cow at the moment.

So for him to come out and brand the sport a "billionaire kids' club" carries huge weight and will undoubtedly ruffle a few feathers among officials.

But this certainly wouldn't have been the first time Hamilton has exposed a few home truths within the sport.

Hamilton hasn't shied away from calling out the sport in the past - both on and off the track - and his push to end racism is where he continues to use his platform to full effect.

"As you've seen since last year, it's about having awkward conversations," Hamilton added.

"There is increasing awareness of the problem. In Europe, racism is different from that of North America but it is also present in a notable way.

"These last few months have been a learning period for many people to be aware of what black people, in particular, experience throughout their lives. For things like this, I have started a commission that will show all those challenges that black people suffer and possibly white people do not. It is not a question of dividing, we want to unite people and educate. If you have a friend who belongs to a minority, perhaps you can ask him what kind of difficulties he has had to face because he is different. In my case, I have uncomfortable conversations with my boss, with Mercedes, with sponsors, we must have them and we must not be ashamed, but see what we can do together to achieve a more diverse F1, like any other business.

"It will take time, it will not change from one day to the next, but we are all the same even if our skin colour is different.

Off the track, Hamilton is proving himself to be someone far more powerful than just a race car driver.

But on it, his talent speaks for itself.

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The Brit is currently top of the drivers standings and is in search of his record eighth championship.

But with Red Bull's Max Verstappen hot on his heels, successfully shrugging him off to clinch yet another world title could be Hamilton's most impressive feat to date.

Topics: Formula One, Racism, Motorsport news, Motorsport, Lewis Hamilton, Racing, F1, Australia

Max Sherry

Max Sherry is a journalist for SPORTbible Australia. After migrating Down Under from London as a teenager, he instantly fell in love with Aussie sport and its culture. From NRL to AFL, cricket to rugby — you name it, Max watches it (with a beer in hand, of course). During his time at Fox Sports, he worked in the football department covering the Premier League, A-League, Socceroos and Matildas. Born a stone's throw away from West Ham's training ground, Max is obviously a die-hard Liverpool fan.

@maxysherry