Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton has detailed the changes he has made within his personal life in an attempt to go carbon neutral after criticisms over his recent social media comments on such topics.
The five-time World Champion has been lambasted over his posts on Instagram in relation to try and be more environmentally friendly on topics such as waste and eating meat.
Whilst being a current Formula 1 driver, some fans feel Hamilton's comments are too heavy-handed while he still continues to compete in motorsport, despite F1's recent attempts to go in a more efficient direction with hybrid power units.
During the FIA press conference ahead of the Mexico Grand Prix, Hamilton explained what inspired him to use his platform for change.
"I was watching a documentary and it was just sad to see the things that we are kind of not aware of," said Hamilton.
"It just inspired me to want to do more and reach out to those who perhaps don’t know some of the things that are happening."
It's been no secret the British driver has enjoyed a lavish lifestyle during his time in F1, but has since admitted to making efforts to reduce his own carbon footprint, with the aim of being 'neutral' by the end of the year.
"I’m trying to make sure that by the end of the year I’m carbon neutral," he added. "I don’t allow anyone in my office but also within my household to buy any plastics.
"I want everything recycle-able down to deodorant, down to toothbrush, all these kinds of things. So I’m trying to make as much change as I can in my personal space.
"I sold my plane over a year ago. I fly a lot less now, I try to fly less through the year and mostly fly commercial so that’s been a big change in my habits.
"I’ve avoided trips as well if I don’t need to do it, been in the UK for example with family and gone up to Bedfordshire and stayed with the family instead of going on holiday.
"Obviously, I’ve changed my diet which is quite a drastic difference."
Hamilton is also pushing to make changes in other areas, including F1 itself as well as through his own team in Mercedes as well as clothing partner Tommy Hilfiger, adding: "I work with the team who are also really pushing to be carbon neutral.
"For instance in the canteen, because there’s a lot of plastics, you’ll see here we have mostly Just Water, which are bio-degradable bottles.
"Obviously I work with Tommy Hilfiger. Nearly 70% of all the clothes that I’ve done are sustainable: Either recycled fabrics or faux-leather, faux-suede and the goal is to have that 100%.
"At some point that will be 100% sustainable, hopefully in the next year or two. That’s also encouraged Tommy Hilfiger who work in quite a damaging industry to also look into that and push that direction.
"If you look at our sport it’s shifted from using a third less fuel now.
"There’s more I think that Formula 1 can do. They are putting plans together but I think we have to push all the industries, we have to push Formula 1 to do more and I think they’re giving us a proposal later on today for the plans they have in place and we’ll do whatever we can to support that."
