Hamilton feeling stronger after introducing new training methods

Lewis Hamilton says that he is feeling stronger than he has "in a long time" after practising new training regimes throughout the winter break.

New rules for the 2019 season will see drivers having to weigh a minimum of 80kg, which is measured separately from the car. Hamilton has been gaining muscle weight since the conclusion of the 2018 season, and as a result, believes that he is as strong as he has been in a long while.

"I’m still within the limit so I’m good,” Hamilton said. “Every year, doing the same thing, not necessarily the same thing but the fundamentals have been pretty much the same. You have to reach a similar target every year. 

“So for once to have that bar lifted, and to really dig deep into other elements of the training has been quite an exciting challenge. Every year you get back into training it is painful.

"But trying different methods, I’ve worked with several different people for once, to try different things throughout the weeks which has been exciting, and I get to take that throughout the year. Deep-rooted core wise, I feel stronger than I’ve been in a long time.” 

Hamilton worked with a number of different trainers throughout the winter months in order to find a comfortable method, while sticking strong to his vegan diet that he picked up a number of years ago.

“My body fat is going down and you target more efficient defined muscle," he said. "I am not trying to be the Hulk. It takes time to put on muscle in the right way, but it has been great to eat bigger portions.

“I got in the car and I had put weight on. I did my seat fit the other day and it was interesting. But now that weight has gone down again.  It will fluctuate and it is about maintaining, but I have enjoyed training a lot more.

"Training is not the most exciting thing but you can make it fun if you bring in other elements. I worked with some different trainers over the winter. I worked with different people a few days on and a few days off just to pick up new techniques.”