Throughout 13 seasons, Lewis Hamilton has traveled more than 70,000 kilometers behind the wheel of a Formula 1. A distance, if we include only the races, that would allow him to complete almost two laps on Earth along the equator line. According to the current limits -110 kilos of fuel - the world champion would have used, only on Sundays, more than 27 tons of gasoline since his arrival at the Grand Circus. And that trace of carbon dioxide would have multiplied from 2007 to 2014, when the old regulations allowed 30% more energy expenditure.

Being significant, these figures represent only a drop of water in the ocean with respect to the polluting footprint of a business that moves 10 gigantic structures, as many as equipment on the grill, on board airplanes and trucks in every corner of the planet. Hamilton has also traveled in private jets, at least until last year, for his many high society commitments, many of them linked to the fashion industry.

However, the best driver in the world seems convinced that he must be the first to change. "The extinction of our species is increasingly likely due to the abuse of natural resources," he advanced 10 days ago through Instagram. On Friday, in the hours before the free practice of the Mexican GP, ​​the Briton opted for an even more forceful speech. "I'm trying to make sure that, at the end of the year, it doesn't emit CO2."

No interest in Formula E

The Hermanos Rodríguez Autodrome, with its endless straight, always greatly excites Hamilton, who proclaimed himself world champion there in the last two seasons. Tomorrow he needs a quick lap victory, combined with a fourth place from Valtteri Bottas, to stick his sixth crown, only one less than Michael Schumacher. The Kaiser's record, considered not so long ago, will be the great goal for Stevenage's genius in 2020, where he will continue to lead Mercedes in the top category of the engine. «I want to continue competing, because I still like it. I have no interest in switching to Formula E, ”he advanced yesterday, settling any jump to electric cars.

Hamilton's plans in F1 are limited to squeeze his car in the last course before the regulatory revolution. However, out of the asphalt, he will continue to raise his voice. He has decided that each of his gestures should serve to stir consciences.

"I do not allow anyone, neither in my office, nor in my house, to buy any type of plastic," said Fernando Alonso's former teammate at McLaren. «I am trying to change everything I can in my personal space. I want everything to be recycled in deodorants, toothbrushes and that kind of thing, ”he said, two days after the two-time Spanish champion.

Verstappen and Vettel

«You cannot send a message and the next day do the opposite. The pilots take 200 planes a year. Then you can't say you don't eat meat, ”Alonso had said. These criticisms are quite similar to the criteria of Max Verstappen. "F1 has been around for a long time and you don't have to go crazy. We have to live with it. If you don't like it, don't look at it," the Red Bull pilot in Mexico launched.

However, despite appearances, one of the great support for Hamilton on this issue comes from his great adversary on the track during the last five years. "We should send a much stronger message. We can all do something, contribute a little. It would make a big difference," Sebastian Vettel warned in Mexico. Of course, this debate will encourage the decaffeinated closing of the year. In addition, on Thursday the new regulation will be made official in Austin by 2021. And it doesn't seem that F1 will follow Hamilton's example.

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  • michael schumacher
  • Valtteri Bottas
  • Lewis Hamilton
  • Fernando Alonso
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