F1 News: Lewis Hamilton Lost 11lbs In Seven Days - Here's Why

Just one little summer break can spoil you for good.

F1 cars are required to stay as light as possible to extract maximum performance from them. The same story applies to Formula 1 drivers who are expected to keep their weight within a certain weight bracket. However, Lewis Hamilton overshot his weight limit during the summer break after which, he was forced to lose 11 lbs during the last week.

Hamilton made full use of the summer break with his family in Los Angeles and also visited Kenya, Rwanda, Namibia, and Tanzania. In the process, he might have indulged a bit too much in gastronomic delight, which caused him to put on weight. 

In an interview with the press, Hamilton explained his weight gain story and how he was required to lose weight drastically before the Dutch GP arrived, by following an extreme diet. He said:

”I ate so much food. My weight has to be between 73 and 74 kilos, and I was almost 77 kilos on Saturday,

"So I had to go on an extreme diet these past days."

Hamilton transitioned gradually into being a vegan by 2017 and has won four world championships since. Being entirely on a plant-based diet that includes beets, lentils, fruits, falafel, and a lot more, the British driver has always stressed making a gradual shift to such a diet as it would allow the body to acclimatize well.

A health-conscious Hamilton is also particular about his workout regime and follows it diligently. However, that takes up about four to five hours of his time in a day. If you thought that long workout sessions could get boring, Hamilton's dog Roscoe is always present alongside him for the company. 

F1 drivers require such levels of dedication and discipline to maintain their weight within the specified limit. It isn't only about the weight though. It is also about gaining strength and keeping fit to help the body cope with the constant high-speed G-forces in an F1 car. 

Currently, Hamilton is in the fourth position in the 2023 drivers' standings at 156 points, right below Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso in third at 168 points.