Lewis Hamilton pushing to get rid of leather in Mercedes-Benz vehicles
Lewis Hamilton aims to make the world more sustainable and wants to involve big corporations like Mercedes-Benz. Image: Facebook/@LewisHamilton
Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton wants to extend his advocacy against animal cruelty to the world of racing. The British racing-car driver intends to work with his sponsor, Mercedes-Benz, to get rid of leather in its vehicles.
Since adopting a vegan lifestyle in 2017, Hamilton has been outspoken against animal abuse and the meat industry. Having a vegan diet—which means no meat or any animal products—has made him feel better, such as having fewer mood swings and stomach problems, he told Malaysian magazine The Edge last November. The article was published in the magazine’s lifestyle pullout Options last Dec. 5.
He said he has beefed up too with plant protein. “I can train just as much and do just as many reps, if not more, and I get through races with a much cleaner state of mind.”
He also hopes to take his advocacy into addressing climate change and make corporations like Mercedes-Benz involved. “I am trying to push for sustainability with my team. I am trying to get more involved in Formula One and be more conscious,” he said.
Im the interview, he said, “Mercedes-Benz is a huge organization and I have got a phone call with the CEO later today to discuss how we can work on getting rid of all the leather supplied to the cars.”
“That is something I want to be involved in. I want to be part of a system that is going to help heal the world and do something positive for the future,” he stressed.
Most leather is sourced from India and China, where animal-welfare laws are lax or do not exist, according to the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). Even in developed countries like the US, cows are crowded into small spaces and at times skinned and dismembered while unconscious.
Hamilton knows speaking against animal abuse could mean being unpopular, but he does not mind. “People do not always like the stuff I post, but it is fine. Even if they unfollow me, I want them to see it. A lot of this is not part of the news. There are corporations and businesses that are just money-hungry.” Niña V. Guno /ra
RELATED STORIES:
Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton to open plant-based burger chain
Lewis Hamilton Declares No Private Plane and No Plastics
Mercedes-Benz has plans to launch a fully electric G-Class wagon
Disclaimer: The comments uploaded on this site do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of management and owner of Cebudailynews. We reserve the right to exclude comments that we deem to be inconsistent with our editorial standards.
