Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton and his success need no introduction. His stellar driving and accomplishments speak for themselves. However, not many people know that he also has the crown of PETA UK’s Person of the Year in 2018. The 7-time champion has been a tremendous voice for animals used for food, meat, dairy products, and more. Moreover, the Mercedes driver is also a well-known vegan practitioner who has inspired many people to follow the same practice.

However, the founder of PETA, Ingrid Newkirk – an avid F1 fan herself, called out Hamilton for a strong and important issue. She asked for Lewis’s support to join PETA’s call and use his status and influence to end the suffering and the deaths of the dogs used in the Iditarod, a 938 miles long sled dog race.

Why is PETA calling 0ut to Lewis Hamilton?

Lewis raised two bulldogs named Roscoe and Coco. Sadly Coco, who was also a rescue dog, passed away last year in Hamilton’s arms. Newkirk has questioned Hamilton and asked him to put Roscoe in the shoes of the sled dogs.

Hamilton was spotted having dinner with F1 owner and CEO of Liberty Media, Greg Maffei. One must assume there’s nothing wrong with having dinner with someone. However, Maffei is also the sponsor of the Iditarod and refuses to end the sponsorship of such events.

In contrast, companies like ExxonMobil and Coca-Cola have pulled their sponsorship plug. Ingrid Newkirk, the founder of PETA said, “Lewis, please stop ignoring our desperate cry for help!” [Translated from Google]

Newkirk continued, “A word from you could prevent such precious dogs as Roscoe, with whom you share your home, suffer an agonizing death in a gruesome race sponsored by the – owner of the F1.”

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The 103-race winner has always taken a stand against animal cruelty. And his stand is a big reason why he and Roscoe have turned to veganism.

Lewis explains why he switched to a vegan diet

Many people are jumping on the vegan train and 7-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton is one of them. The Mercedes star and his pet Roscoe switched to a plant-based diet and Hamilton revealed that he regretted not starting it earlier. He also explained what caused him to make the switch to a vegan diet.

After switching to a plant-based diet, as per peta.org.uk, Hamilton told the media, “The pollution [from greenhouse-gas emissions] coming from the amount of cows that are being produced is incredible.”

He further added, “They say it is more than what we produce with our flights and our cars, which is kind of crazy to think. The cruelty is horrible and I don’t necessarily want to support that and I want to live a healthier life.”

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Do you agree with Lewis that a plant-based diet is the way forward and can save our planet?