F1: Lewis Hamilton talks race safety, vegan burgers and Charles Leclerc’s greatness

Hamilton: safety work will continue

Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton says the sport’s safety measures will continue to be improved following the death of Formula 2 driver Anthoine Hubert at the Belgian Grand Prix.

Frenchman Hubert, 22, was killed after a heavy crash at Spa on Saturday and the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) has opened an investigation into the incident, Autosport reports.

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When asked about safety in F1 Mercedes driver Hamilton praised the FIA for improving conditions, but added that work must continue.

The Briton said: “There’s a huge amount of work that the FIA have done up to this point. They have been working incredibly hard and we’ve seen big steps already.

“When [former race director] Charlie Whiting was here he made massive steps forward, so we will continue in that direction.”

More ‘greatness’ to come from Leclerc

At Spa on Sunday Hamilton finished second behind Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who recorded his maiden victory in F1.

Hamilton predicts there is more to come from the 21-year-old. He told Sky Sports: “He ultimately did a superb job. Even if we had different strategies it would have been hard to have beaten him. He deserved to win.

“He’s been really unlucky in quite a few races this year. Could easily have been the third win. So, there’s a lot more greatness to come from him and I’m looking forward to seeing his growth and racing alongside him.

“It was fun, trying to chase him. He was just a little bit too quick.”

Ham’s vegan burger chain launches

Lewis Hamilton has a new business venture - a meat-free burger chain called Neat Burger which opened its first outlet in London on Monday.

Independent reports that Hamilton, who is vegan, has collaborated with plant-based meat alternative company Beyond Meat for the launch of Neat Burger. The new venture is described as the “first plant-based sustainable burger chain of its kind”.

“As someone who follows a plant-based diet, I believe we need a healthier high street option that tastes amazing but also offers something exciting to those who want to be meat-free every now and then,” said 34-year-old Hamilton.

“Beyond Meat is an incredible partner and I can’t wait to work with the team to expand Neat Burger internationally.”

Taste testing the company’s standard cheeseburger, i News reporter Josh Barrie said: “It tastes like a 99p McDonald’s cheeseburger: soft, a hint of beef, lots of tangy acidity, and a melty slathering of what I would suppose to be cheap American cheese were I not already aware of its plant-based composition.

“The texture is pleasing, as are the fries, which aren’t a world away from what you get in Burger King.”