Lewis Hamilton:
"Faster Than
the Wind"

Lewis Hamilton has six Formula 1 championship titles under his belt. So it’s no wonder that the Italian Men’s Health magazine wanted to know more about his life and history: how he trains, what he likes, what he eats, how he faces his challenges, what inspires him and what plans he has for his present and for his future – as a Formula 1 driver and as a man. It’s a fantastic article,  and in the event that you don’t speak Italian, we translated some of the best parts and highlighted them below.

LEWIS: ON HIS STRATEGY FOR SUCCESS

Men’s Health:
By now you’ve become a legend for Formula 1, and this year you could beat Schumacher’s many records. How do you feel as you face these goals?   

Lewis Hamilton:
I am currently the world champion but every year I start from scratch, as if I were not the champion.  We are all the same. This year we have the chance to win the championship and I want to be at the top of my possibilities, at the top in the physical sense, just as I want my car to be superior. I want to give my best, I want to be ahead of the other drivers. How can I do it?  How can I be more consistent than last year?  How can I be more meticulous and precise?  How can I better understand the technology?  How can I be a better teammate?  It is on this, on all this, that I focus.  I try to improve all this.  This is what could lead me to the title.

LEWIS: ON DRIVER’S WHO INSPIRED HIM

Men’s Health:
Who is the driver who inspired you most? 

Lewis Hamilton:
Ayrton Senna has always been an inspiration to me.  When I started following Formula 1, Senna was at the peak of his career: I immediately understood that it was special.  During the race he was bold and was not afraid of taking risks but at the end of the race he was always relaxed and comfortable in front of the cameras.  I grew up with him as a model, he was my hero: I dreamed of following in his footsteps.  I hope to in turn be a model for the next generation and to inspire today’s kids to follow their dreams, as Senna did for me.   

LEWIS: ON WORKING OUT

Men’s Health:
What is your typical weekly workout?   

Lewis Hamilton:
I really like doing weights but I don’t have to overdo it.  I really like high intensity circuits especially HIIT (High Intensity Intervals) with exercises like jump squats, long sprinters and high knees. The speed of execution and the number of repetitions make the difference to optimize the results, but at the base of everything is the execution technique, which must always be perfect, to give the maximum results and avoid injuries. Even the choice of the right shoe can make the difference. I have chosen the new PUMA LQD Cell Hydra which, thanks to the use of innovative technologies and a padding system that increases stability and improves shock absorption, always offer me maximum support. These shoes have really changed my  way to train. The other workout that I love doing is running.  I like running and I do it always and everywhere. It is important to have a good cardiovascular system: during qualifying the beat rises to 190 per minute and in the race for two hours you have a heart that goes to 160/170 beats per minute.  That’s why I do a lot of running and at least one session of sprints in each workout, consisting of 2 minutes of sprints and 1 minute of recovery repeated for 5 series.  Then I always add a lot of stretching and yoga.  I also do weights but they are never excessive weights because more muscles means more weight and to be able to drive a Formula 1, I can’t increase my weight much.

LEWIS: ON A PLANT-BASED DIET

Men’s Health:
Does your plant-based diet help you stay on top?   

Lewis Hamilton:
I was already at the top before moving on to this type of diet, but I was doing more and my energy was not constant: I had days when I was loaded with energy and days when I had less.  When I switched to a plant-based diet these highs and lows decreased significantly and now every day my energy level is constant. The positive effects of the diet were also felt on sleep, on the predisposition to allergies and on my health in general. I’ve never felt better. And the best part is that things only improve. Usually people try this diet and after a couple of weeks they stop.  I’ve been following this diet for three years though and I still see benefits.  My body continues to improve, I’m becoming more flexible.  I’m 35 years old now and, although theoretically I should be less fit than before, I continue to feel good and improve: I am in better shape now than at 25 years old. 

Men’s Health:
Would you recommend this diet without meat even to a non-professional sportsman? 

Lewis Hamilton:
Absolutely yes. It’s also for the good of the planet. The planet has too many problems today: there is the suffering of animals and the threat of man-made ongoing climate change. I don’t want to be part of the problem, but part of the solution. So I don’t contribute to the problem: I don’t buy milk or meat, and I don’t contribute to the growth of these industries.  In addition, I have no disadvantages: I don’t lose muscle-mass, I’m fine, I only see benefits and continue to win.  I hope this also encourages others to follow this diet.  Everyone can do it, and become part of the solution instead of the problem. 

LEWIS: ON THE IMPORTANCE OF “UNPLUGGING”

Men’s Health:
What is your favorite way to relax and recharge your batteries?   

Lewis Hamilton:
Unplugging is a fundamental part of my routine.  It is very important to decompress after a race, so that you can face the next one with a calm mind.  I love spending time with my best friends, with my dogs Coco and Roscoe and with my family.  Being with them helps me to relax and focus my energy on something different.  But I can’t go without adrenaline and I love anything that makes my heart beat faster, whether it’s skiing, sky diving, surfing or training. 

LEWIS: ON WHAT MAKES HIM PROUD

Men’s Health:

What are you most proud of in your career?

Lewis Hamilton:
I was the first F1 champion from the working class: I am proud to have paved the way for others to come.  One of my favorite phrases is: “you can’t be what you don’t see.” Anyone who sees me on the podium, even just a child, should be inspired to follow his or her dreams. If that happens, then I will have done my job well. Diversity is a problem that Formula 1 must face and in which it must move forward and I hope to do my part not only by inspiring others with my work but also by collaborating with my partners to create more opportunities for people from different communities. The most important advice to be number 1? Never take anything for granted. Every season I start from scratch regardless of the successes or failures of the previous year. This has helped me keep the right mindset since the beginning. My advice is to stay humble and concentrate on the opportunities you meet along the way. 

We hope you enjoyed this Men’s Health interview with Lewis Hamilton. There’s more where this came from. Visit the Italian Men’s Health magazine page for a copy of the full article, or workout with Lewis for free on pumatrac.com.