The Haas driver Nikita Mazepin has hit back at Lewis Hamilton’s comment’s during the Monaco Grand Prix, suggesting Formula 1 has become a ‘billionaire boys’ club.’

Speaking to Spain’s AS newspaper, the seven-time world champion said he believed it wouldn’t have been possible for him to break into the championship from his background now, and that F1 needed to do more to help those from more humble backgrounds to have a chance to compete.

But the 36-year-old, who was raised on a Stevenage council estate, has claimed F1 has now become just a playing ground for the wealthy.

“Growing up in a normal working-class family, there is no way I could be here – the guys you are fighting against have that much more money,” Hamilton said.

As it stands on the grid now, Canadians Lance Stroll, Nicholas Latifi, and Russian Nikita Mazepin, are the sons of billionaires, with Stroll’s father now part-owning Aston Martin F1.

Before F1, Hamilton’s father, Anthony, said he worked multiple jobs to help fund his son’s career before he was spotted by McLaren, aged 13.

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