Lewis Hamilton has detailed how he remains mentally a d physically strong and how his training has changed over his 19 years in Formula 1.
At 40 years old, the Briton is the second-oldest driver on the grid behind two-time champion Fernando Alonso at 44. Over the years, his approach to training and his non-negotiables have changed.
"When I was younger, I think the training was really my therapy – and it still kind of is, particularly the runs. That’s where I get most of my thinking done," the seven-time champion told Men's Health when asked how he remains mentally strong.
"Adding things like yoga, adding things like breathwork. Breathwork has probably taken the longest to get into because it takes time. Then meditation.
"I think the ice bath helps with that too, because you need to learn to breathe and overcome the thoughts of wanting to give up, wanting to get out. Those things really help me stay positive through the year.
"Positive affirmations are probably the most important thing of all. When you’re brushing your teeth or starting your day, saying positive affirmations about how your day is going to go, what your goal is, how you’re going to feel, how you’ll approach the job or meet people. When you speak positively about yourself, your body reacts to that."
Detailing the changes that he has implemented over his long career, the seven-time champion added: "It’s shifted, progressed, evolved. I still love to run – I ran this morning. I did a run which varies between six and eight miles. Then ice bath. But before all that, stretching is the first thing I do as soon as I get out of bed.
"In the afternoon I might do a HIIT session, but I can’t really do too much weights because otherwise I get too heavy. So mostly it’s Pilates and yoga."
Hamilton joined Ferrari ahead of the 2025 season after a 12-year stint with Mercedes, during which he secured six of his seven championship titles. While his first year at the Maranello outfit did not bring the results he had hoped, he will be looking ahead to the regulations change in 2026 to regroup and refocus.
Read and post comments