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.
FERNANDO ALONSO CONFIRMS ZERO PERFORMANCE UPGRADES FOR ASTON MARTIN BEFORE SUMMER BREAK
Fernando Alonso warns fans of zero performance upgrades for Aston Martin until autumn as cockpit vibrations ruin race pace.
Fernando Alonso doesn’t see things getting any better for Aston Martin until the back half of the season. The start of their 2026 F1 run has been downright rough.
Their fresh partnership with Honda just isn’t clicking. Both drivers can’t get out of Q1 in qualifying, and points? Forget it. After four rounds, Aston Martin and Cadillac are stuck at the bottom of the standings with zero points.
It’s not just a lack of speed, either. Alonso and Lance Stroll have been fighting nasty car vibrations all year, so bad that team boss Adrian Newey said after Australia, both drivers were worried about permanent nerve damage in their hands and feet.
Miami didn’t offer any relief. Alonso and Stroll both finished a lap down, 15th and 17th. At 44, Alonso accepts this might be the new normal for a while.
When someone asked if Canada might bring some improvement, Alonso shut it down quickly. "No. Maybe we’ll get a little better on drivability, but not on performance," he said. "We just have to stick together. It’s going to be a tough race.”
He knows these weekends will get repetitive. "We have to face the media every Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday," he said, and when a journalist apologised, Alonso just shrugged it off: "You’re just doing your job. We drive fast, but the message is the same every week."
Aston Martin doesn’t have upgrades coming until after summer break. Alonso expects Canada and Austria to look just like Miami, and keeping everyone’s frustration in check is the new challenge. Still, he figures the team is staying calm and focused on having a stronger finish to the season.
Looking further ahead, Alonso said last month he’s open to sticking around F1 after his current contract ends. The two-time world champion, who took his titles with Renault in 2005 and 2006, will be close to 450 grands prix by the end of this season.
GEORGE RUSSELL ADMITS ANTONELLI IS "EXCEPTIONALLY QUICK" BUT REFUSES TO CONCEDE TITLE
Kimi Antonelli secured his 3rd straight F1 win in Miami, leaving George Russell 43 seconds behind and 20 points down in the title race. (130 chars)
George Russell isn’t flinching. He’s not ready to let go of the story, even as Kimi Antonelli keeps grabbing headlines. Antonelli’s been tearing it up this season – three straight wins, all from pole – and it’s got people talking. Miami was rough for Russell; he finished fourth, over 43 seconds behind Antonelli. That gap isn’t just big; it’s glaring, and it’s putting some real heat on their rivalry at Mercedes.
Russell isn’t pretending things are fine, but he’s not throwing in the towel either. He gets what Antonelli’s doing and gives props where they’re deserved. “He’s a fantastic driver, and he’s been fast since day one,” Russell said. “You don’t win all those championships as a kid if you’re not quick.” He means it, but he’s also drawing a boundary. Russell still believes in himself, and he’s not giving up on the championship.
“I’ve still got confidence in myself, and I haven’t forgotten how to drive,” he said with a little smile. “It’s just a tricky patch, but we’re only four races in; there’s a lot more to come. We’ll sort things out over the next few weeks.”
That “tricky patch” doesn’t just mean some tough luck; it includes a 20-point deficit and a teammate who won’t stop rewriting history. Antonelli’s winning streak has changed the vibe at Mercedes, at least for now.
Russell knows all about momentum and how it doesn’t always stick around. “He’s got momentum right now; he’s flying,” Russell admitted. “But I’ve won championships myself, and I know momentum swings back and forth all year.” He actually doesn’t seem bothered by the points gap. “Honestly, I’m not even thinking about it,” he said.
It’s a calm answer from a guy who’s been here before, leaning on experience while Antonelli rides his hot streak. Russell keeps saying 'big picture, patience, not panic'.
“I just want to get back on top of the podium,” he said. “I had the pace for the first three races, but this weekend I was nowhere close. It could have gone very differently these last few weeks, and this weekend could’ve just been a blip. But some races in Japan and China didn’t go my way. That’s how F1 goes sometimes.”
Still, confidence doesn’t erase a 20-point gap, not if Antonelli keeps cruising. If Antonelli keeps piling up wins, Russell’s going to have to fight more than just the stopwatch. Losing to your teammate over and over starts to mess with your head. Russell began the season as the guy to beat, but the longer this keeps up, the tougher it gets to grab hold of the story again.
He’s holding firm, for now. But F1 doesn’t wait for anyone. What does Russell call “just a tricky run”? Well, if momentum doesn’t swing his way soon, it could become a whole lot more than that.
