Breaking news
Formula 1
Hamilton outlines steps he's taken to aid environment
Lewis Hamilton has outlined in detail how he has tried to become more environmentally friendly and how he hopes to encourage Formula 1 and others to do the same.
Scott Mitchell
Published: Oct 25, 2019, 8:06 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
The five-time world champion recently wrote an impassioned series of posts on his Instagram page in which he said the state of the planet left him feeling like "giving up on everything" and that the "extinction of our race becoming more and more likely as we overuse our resources".
Hamilton, who has more than 13 million followers on Instagram, was criticised by some for his comments given the carbon footprint he generates travelling around the world for F1 and his fashion exploits.
However, Hamilton said the series of posts on social media was triggered by a documentary he was watching that made him think it is "sad to see the things that we are kind of not aware of".
Though Hamilton has been questioned for claiming the plant-based diet he sticks to is the only way to save the planet, and criticising the farming industry, he said he is motivated to try to get his followers to research the issue themselves and has opened up about other habits that can be changed, including his own attempts to alter his lifestyle.
Read Also:
Hamilton said he hopes to be "carbon-neutral", where someone has a net zero carbon footprint through carbon removal or eliminating carbon emissions elsewhere, by the end of the year.
"I don't allow anyone in my office, but also within my household, to buy any plastics," he said. "I want everything recyclable, down to deodorant, down to the toothbrush, all these kinds of things."
Hamilton previously had a private jet but has sold that and has been "mostly flying commercial", which he called "a big change in my habits".
He said he has tried to fly less for personal reasons and spend more time in the UK and has adopted a new philosophy towards his use of cars as well.
While Hamilton admitted he does not want to sell all his vehicles he has sold some, and is trading in existing Mercedes cars for the company's EQC – Mercedes-Benz's first electric vehicle and one Hamilton raved about after trying it for the first time in Australia.
Referencing his Mercedes-Maybach, a luxury sedan, Hamilton said: "I'm looking to switch that. I love the Maybach, however right now it doesn't really suit what I'm fighting for so we need to change."
Hamilton hopes to encourage change within the industries he works in, as well as how he uses their products.
He highlighted the Mercedes' F1 team's use of biodegradable water bottles in its hospitality as one example of what the company is doing but hopes he can also encourage Mercedes' automotive side to move towards fake leather and suede interiors instead of full-leather.
Hamilton also recently revealed elements of his latest Tommy Hilfiger clothing collaboration and says "nearly 70% of all the clothes that I've done are sustainable, either recycled fabrics or faux-leather, faux-suede".
"The goal is to have that 100%," he added, referring to the fashion world as "quite damaging". "I don't know what more I can do at the moment," he said.
"I still love racing and I want to continue with that. If you look at our sport, we use like a third less fuel now.
"There's more I think that Formula 1 can do. All the industries have to push Formula 1 to do more.
"They've given us a proposal of the plans that they have in place, and we'll do whatever we can to support that."
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG F1 speaks to the media
Photo by: Joe Portlock / Motorsport Images
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Leclerc: Engine queries aimed at "destabilising" Ferrari
Next article Kubica denies there's tension with Williams
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Scott Mitchell
Alfa Romeo must do better in "chaotic" races - Vasseur
Formula 1
Formula 1
Alfa Romeo must do better in "chaotic" races - Vasseur
Honda: Verstappen relationship 'like a young Senna'
Formula 1
Formula 1
Honda: Verstappen relationship 'like a young Senna'
Key team personnel shouldn't be F1 boss - Ferrari
Formula 1
Formula 1
Key team personnel shouldn't be F1 boss - Ferrari
More from
Lewis Hamilton
The mistakes that cost Lewis Hamilton a podium at F1’s US GP
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
9 h
The mistakes that cost Lewis Hamilton a podium at F1’s US GP
Fred Vasseur reveals two costly moments that denied Ferrari US GP double podium
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
Fred Vasseur reveals two costly moments that denied Ferrari US GP double podium
More from
Mercedes
Franco Colapinto, George Russell to sit out FP1 at F1 Mexico GP
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
8 h
Franco Colapinto, George Russell to sit out FP1 at F1 Mexico GP
Toto Wolff dismisses Helmut Marko's Russell theory: "He still has what it takes"
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
11 h
Toto Wolff dismisses Helmut Marko's Russell theory: "He still has what it takes"
Latest news
Carson Hocevar credits tow truck driver for saving his race at Talladega
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Talladega II
2 h
Carson Hocevar credits tow truck driver for saving his race at Talladega
Brad Keselowski to address questions about NASCAR future and RFK exit at Martinsville
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Martinsville II
3 h
Brad Keselowski to address questions about NASCAR future and RFK exit at Martinsville
Hamlin says Chevy teams 'suck at the teat' of Hendrick on superspeedways
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Talladega II
6 h
Hamlin says Chevy teams 'suck at the teat' of Hendrick on superspeedways
Valtteri Bottas denies he might lose his Cadillac seat for F1 2027
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
6 h
Valtteri Bottas denies he might lose his Cadillac seat for F1 2027
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe