<p>Lewis Hamilton says his drive for social justice, and campaigning for diversity, has given his life a real purpose while also helping prolong his record-breaking Formula One career.</p>.<p>The 36-year-old Mercedes driver, winner of a record 100 grands prix, is chasing an unprecedented eighth world championship in a tight battle with Red Bull rival Max Verstappen, 24.</p>.<p>Dutchman Verstappen is 12 points clear with five races remaining.</p>.<p>Hamilton told <em>Sky Sports</em> television that his campaign, and use of his platform to push the conversation, had given him fresh energy and made him mentally stronger than ever.</p>.<p>"This year I've not been drawing on past experiences, I've been drawing on feeding off this energy of doing this positive work," he said.</p>.<p>"So now it's the work that I'm doing in the background and then I'm turning up and I'm enjoying this job.</p>.<p>"Is it helping me race? I think so, yeah. It's like my new drive and I feel like it's giving me more longevity because it's a lot of work we have to do. I feel like it also gives my life real purpose."</p>.<p>Britain's Hamilton said he had days when he did not want to train and was unsure about continuing.</p>.<p>"There's definitely been times where I'm like, I don't know if I can keep going, or maybe there's something else I want to do. But I don't think I'd found my purpose until last year," he said.</p>.<p>"Now I feel like I have a mission in life and it's not about just winning championships and races, that's all cool, but actually being able to make an impact to help youngsters coming through."</p>.<p>The sport's only Black driver hailed increasingly outspoken German four times world champion Sebastian Vettel as well as the younger drivers.</p>.<p>"I'm really proud of this next generation coming along, but we can still encourage them to be more invested and more understanding," he said.</p>.<p>"When you're young, all you're thinking about is winning. You don't have time for a lot of these other things. Well, you think you don't, but you actually do. And that's what we've got to get across."</p>.<p><strong>Check out the latest videos from <i data-stringify-type="italic">DH</i>:</strong></p>
<p>Lewis Hamilton says his drive for social justice, and campaigning for diversity, has given his life a real purpose while also helping prolong his record-breaking Formula One career.</p>.<p>The 36-year-old Mercedes driver, winner of a record 100 grands prix, is chasing an unprecedented eighth world championship in a tight battle with Red Bull rival Max Verstappen, 24.</p>.<p>Dutchman Verstappen is 12 points clear with five races remaining.</p>.<p>Hamilton told <em>Sky Sports</em> television that his campaign, and use of his platform to push the conversation, had given him fresh energy and made him mentally stronger than ever.</p>.<p>"This year I've not been drawing on past experiences, I've been drawing on feeding off this energy of doing this positive work," he said.</p>.<p>"So now it's the work that I'm doing in the background and then I'm turning up and I'm enjoying this job.</p>.<p>"Is it helping me race? I think so, yeah. It's like my new drive and I feel like it's giving me more longevity because it's a lot of work we have to do. I feel like it also gives my life real purpose."</p>.<p>Britain's Hamilton said he had days when he did not want to train and was unsure about continuing.</p>.<p>"There's definitely been times where I'm like, I don't know if I can keep going, or maybe there's something else I want to do. But I don't think I'd found my purpose until last year," he said.</p>.<p>"Now I feel like I have a mission in life and it's not about just winning championships and races, that's all cool, but actually being able to make an impact to help youngsters coming through."</p>.<p>The sport's only Black driver hailed increasingly outspoken German four times world champion Sebastian Vettel as well as the younger drivers.</p>.<p>"I'm really proud of this next generation coming along, but we can still encourage them to be more invested and more understanding," he said.</p>.<p>"When you're young, all you're thinking about is winning. You don't have time for a lot of these other things. Well, you think you don't, but you actually do. And that's what we've got to get across."</p>.<p><strong>Check out the latest videos from <i data-stringify-type="italic">DH</i>:</strong></p>