Lewis Hamilton switched to a vegan diet to to save animals and feel great.

The Formula 1 champion who was named Person of the Year by animal rights organization PETA in 2018 has opened up about the positive impacts following a diet that is meat and dairy-free and without other animal-derived products has had on his performance, energy levels and the overall health of his gut.

He told the new issue of GQ Hype magazine: Ultimately, you want to feel great.

You want to have energy, to be consistent.

You dont want to have the big oscillations and highs and lows in your energy levels.

Veganism has eradicated that.

When I was 22, it was raw talent.

Youve got an abundance of energy, youre fit, there are no aches and pains

But Im always looking at how I can improve.

Can my eyesight be better? Can my reactions be improved? Are there new ways of testing my reactions?

The ergonomics in the car how can I make everything simpler?

Theres a multitude of things and Im always trying to raise the bar.

One of the things was my sleeping pattern and not feeling right in the stomach.

Your gut is your second brain.

The 35-year-old motor sportsman added that non-vegans are missing out.

He said: Were taught to drink milk and eat meat for protein and I started looking into other areas of research around all this.

The first thing was, whats happening to the animals? Secondly, the impact it can have on your body.

Thats a free advantage Im going to take.

If no one else wants it, well thats their loss.

Meanwhile, the British star quipped that he needs to pay Finnish racing driver Kimi Raikkonen, 40, to remain in F1 so hes not the oldest, but admitted that he feels as young as ever and fitter than ever, though he accepts that his fitness levels are bound to dwindle in years to come.

When the interviewer suggested hes an elder statesman, he said: No, I am. I need to start paying Kimi [Raikkonen] to stay so Im not the oldest.

Luckily, I think hes going to keep going.

I dont feel old at all.

I feel as young as ever.

I feel fit, fitter than ever.

Everything just works better now, with the experience I have.

I dont even think its harder to stay physically in shape, although Im sure that will inevitably tail off at some point.

See the full interview available online now via GQ HYPE http://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/cars/article/lewis-hamilton-interview-2020

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Lewis Hamilton became a vegan to 'feel great' and save animals - FOX 11 and FOX 41