THE "ICE SECRET": HOW LEWIS HAMILTON FIGHTS AGE TO STAY COMPETITIVE WITH FERRARI
Lewis Hamilton reveals his "non-negotiable" 2026 routine. From 8-mile runs to ice baths, see how the Ferrari star defies age.
Lewis Hamilton has clinched world titles thanks to his speed, skill, and nerves of steel. Now at 40, he's facing a different kind of challenge: Father Time, muscle stiffness, and the wear and tear that come with two decades in Formula 1.
His secret weapon? Discipline. And, most painfully, ice.
As he begins his 20th F1 season—his second with Ferrari—the seven-time world champ speaks openly about how his physical routine has changed as he's gotten older, moving from fitness that came naturally to a far more planned approach.
The goal is simple: remain competitive in a sport that's tough on those past their prime.
"It's changed, developed, and grown," Hamilton told Men's Health.
Once optional things are now must-dos. What he once skipped is now scheduled. And the thing that hurts the most is what he refuses to give up.
Morning Runs and Cold Plunges
Hamilton doesn't train like a carefree twenty-something anymore. Now, every morning starts the same way—and it's not with a stopwatch.
I still love to run—I ran this morning. I go for runs that vary from six to eight miles. Then I take an ice bath. But before any of that, stretching is the first thing I do when I get out of bed.
The order is important. Stretch first. Run next. Freeze later. It's a routine that helps keep his muscles loose, his weight in check, and recovery a priority—something Hamilton admits he used to ignore.
When his schedule allows, his afternoons are less about intense workouts and more about control.
In the afternoon, I might do a HIIT workout, but I can't lift too many weights because I get too heavy. So it's mostly Pilates and yoga.
It's very different from his early years, when natural fitness and youth carried him. Now, lasting power is carefully built.
Even with a schedule that goes beyond racing—fashion, music, advocacy—Hamilton insists on certain training boundaries. When asked what he refuses to skip, his answer was quick.
Ice baths. Recovery is something I didn't focus on much in the past. "I would just do the workout and then go on with my day," he said.
So stretching and ice baths—those are the two things that I make myself do.
Make is the right word. He doesn't enjoy ice baths; he just deals with them. But Hamilton thinks the discomfort is the point.
Training the Mind, Too
For Hamilton, physical preparation easily turns into mental strength – a key advantage during a long 24-race season.
When I was younger, I think training was really my therapy—and in some ways it still is, especially the runs, Hamilton said. That's when I do most of my thinking.
Over time, he has added to his mental tools.
Adding things like yoga, like breathwork. Breathwork has probably been the hardest to get into because it takes time. Then meditation.
Even the ice bath helps here—not just as recovery, but as practice.
I think the ice bath helps with that, too, because you have to learn to breathe and fight the urge to give up and get out. Those things really help me stay positive throughout the year.
In a sport focused on lap times and data, Hamilton's routine offers a unique look at how to be the best.
At 40, and now with Ferrari, the seven-time world champion is still looking for small improvements—one stretch, one breath, one cold plunge at a time.
SERGIO PEREZ BREAKS SILENCE ON CADILLAC’S FIRST FOUR RACES OF 2026 F1 SEASON
Discover why Sergio Perez is confident in Cadillac’s 2026 path despite urgent needs for better pace and reliability fixes.
Sergio Perez didn’t waste time sharing his thoughts on Cadillac after the first four races of the 2026 Formula 1 season.
Cadillac shows up in 2026 as F1’s newest team, but honestly, not a lot of people expected fireworks right away. With veterans like Valtteri Bottas and Perez behind the wheel, the team’s start has been a mix, some moments full of promise, others derailed by reliability issues.
Still, Cadillac isn’t just stuck at the back. Lately, they’ve been right there fighting with Aston Martin and even managed to split them in Miami, which turned a few heads.
Perez knows the team is at risk of falling behind in this crazy-fast development race, though. “We still have work to do, but I’m confident we’re on the right path,” he told reporters, including Motorsport Week.
He added, “Sometimes, once tyre degradation sets in, we can hang with the midfield, but they always seem to find another gear. There’s a long way to go this season, but we’re in a rush to find more pace. We know Aston will get stronger, and we don’t want to be left behind.”
Racing Aston Martin has actually brought Perez some enjoyment. He especially likes battling Fernando Alonso, calling those fights fair and satisfying. Still, he pointed out a weak spot: “We’re having fun with them. Racing Fernando is always great because he’s so fair. But we struggled with tyre degradation; we burnt through them too quickly. We picked the hard compound, but honestly, looking back, I should’ve gone with the soft.”
He said there’s plenty to analyse, and really, the key is getting a better grip on their car as they look ahead to Canada. “We don’t have much time, but in the short term, we need to fix the degradation. We have some ideas, but putting them together is our biggest challenge in the next few weeks.”
Cadillac may be the new kid on the block and still finding its feet, but it’s already starting to make an impact. The road out of the lower ranks won’t be easy, but they’re moving in the right direction.
HOW KIMI ANTONELLI’S THREE-RACE WIN STREAK IS REDEFINING THE MERCEDES TEAM HIERARCHY
With a 43-second gap in Miami, Antonelli proves he’s ready to lead the World Championship. Can Russell bounce back in Canada?
David Coulthard, the former Formula 1 driver, recently pointed out that Kimi Antonelli might be on track to overtake George Russell as Mercedes’ team leader.
Antonelli has been on an impressive run, clinching victories in the last three races and pulling ahead by 20 points over his main competitor and teammate, Russell.
At the Miami race, the young Italian once again outperformed his more seasoned teammate, with Russell managing only fourth place, trailing by 43 seconds.
Coulthard acknowledged Antonelli’s rapid rise in 2026, which is just his second season in F1. He highlighted Antonelli’s strengths and suggested that the Italian is, in many ways, now leading the Mercedes team.
“He’s come of age,” Coulthard said during the Up To Speed podcast.
Despite being relatively new, Antonelli has shown resilience, dealing not only with the pressure from a driver like Lando ready to strike but also with technical glitches like inconsistent paddle shifts. Coulthard mentioned how Antonelli kept his cool even when his engineer, Bono, was trying to help troubleshoot the issue in a tense moment.
“I think he’s earned the right to lead the World Championship,” Coulthard added, noting that this situation probably feels uncomfortable for George. Still, the expectations now lean heavily toward Antonelli leading the team, especially based on recent results.
Coulthard also pointed out that Russell has the experience and skill to reclaim his position as the team’s lead driver, but emphasised that only one can come out on top; someone must finish first and the other second.
The rivalry between them might start opening doors for other teams. Coulthard noted that improvements from McLaren, Ferrari, and Red Bull were already noticeable, especially in Miami.
“Winning in the best car isn’t always straightforward. Many have tried and struggled,” he said.
For Russell, who is feeling the weight of this momentum shift, the upcoming race in Canada will be crucial if he wants to close the gap and halt Antonelli’s winning streak.
