F1 champion Lewis Hamilton was “destroyed” by COVID-19 and has revealed one of the more troubling impacts the virus had on his body.
Lewis Hamilton has revealed he lost 4kg because of COVID-19 and is finding it challenging to recover in the gym after shedding so much muscle.
The seven-time F1 world champion, who clinched another title this year, contracted coronavirus at the start of this month and was forced to sit out of the penultimate grand prix of the season in Bahrain.
He was back in time for the season-ending race in Abu Dhabi but admitted dealing with the virus had “destroyed” him.
Taking to Instagram today, the Mercedes star posted an update of himself in the gym, explaining to his followers the long road that lies ahead.
“I’ve lost 6kg over the past two months, 4 of which I lost when I got COVID,” Hamilton wrote. “I’ve lost so much muscle.
“Starting from a low point in strength now, not fun but I’m determined to get my strength back and to be 100% again.
“No pain no gain.”
Hamilton had already wrapped up this year’s drivers’ championship when he caught COVID and admitted he was still struggling with the after-effects when he took his place behind the wheel in Abu Dhabi, where he finished third.
“All year, physically, I have been fine, but today I definitely wasn’t. I am just glad it’s over,” he said at the time.
“COVID is not a joke and people all over the world are out there losing their lives — it should not be treated that way. It’s really tough.”
Meanwhile, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff recently described a new contract for Hamilton as a “no-brainer” but insisted there was no hurry for the 35-year-old to sign on the dotted line.
The British driver claimed his sixth world title in seven years with the Silver Arrows but is not yet tied to the team for 2021.
Mercedes teased that a deal would be confirmed imminently, with a tweet last week carrying the hashtag “announce’” and a quote from Hamilton emphasising his desire to stay with the team.
There has so far been no update, but Wolff said: “He is on the top of his game and he will be for a while, so that is why continuing together is a no-brainer.
“We always prioritised the championship and not being distracted by sometimes difficult discussions, as is the nature of negotiation.
“And then COVID struck so it has delayed us a bit, but we are not worried in eventually getting it done.
“We are not putting a special date on it. Sooner or later it needs to be done and the latest is when we go testing next year.”
Hamilton said after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix he wanted to get his deal “tied up before Christmas”.
With AFP
