The Malaysian F1 mania was first revved up in 1999, at the state-of-the-art Sepang Circuit. This weekend, after 19 exciting years, the F1 speed machines are set to make their final laps on the tracks as the 2017 Formula 1 Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix will be the final one for the country.
In town for the historic race, Petronas Mercedes’ team members Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas sat down with us for a chat—where we learnt that Hamilton is apparently really good at ironing, giving us a peek into the not-often-talked-about aspects of their lives as F1 drivers…
#1 They sweat A LOT
Things can get really heated in the cockpit of an F1 car. Drivers are known to lose between 3kg to 4kg during a race just through sweating! According to Hamilton, who once lost 4.2kg after a race, “usually when you stand up, there’s a little puddle in your seat”.
#2 They get challenged to races while on the road
When you’re one of the fastest drivers in the world, people will want to challenge you to a race… even though you’re just minding your own business. Bottas recalled a few occasions when “someone recognises me at the traffic light and starts revving their engine”. So, what did he do? “I just let them go—make them happy. Then they can go home and tell people they’ve beaten an F1 driver.”
#3 They have no problem changing flat tyres
These guys spend most of their time with cars, so a question of “can you change a tyre?” was answered with a resounding “of course” by both drivers. In fact, they have academic qualifications to prove their skill—Bottas studied to be a mechanic, while Hamilton pursued Engineering Science.
#4 They are subjected to mental pressure you don’t see
You don’t travel at a few hundred kilometres per hour and not be focused. Bottas explained, “There’s no time for any thoughts to be running. You do one mistake and that’s it.” Hamilton reinforced the importance of having full concentration: “You can’t really think. It’s like juggling balls. People really underestimate how much pressure our minds are under.”
#5 They don’t get to rest right after a race
You’d think that after an exhausting race, an F1 driver will get some time to celebrate or wind down, but nope. “You’re kinda thrown into a mix of things afterwards. You get weighed, you’re sweating, you go straight into interviews. So, you have to gather your thoughts real quick because you’ll be asked questions that’ll go worldwide,” revealed Hamilton.
#6 They have a family that they don’t really get to go home to
“I don’t even know if I’ll be going home before the end of the season,” said Hamilton. With a demanding race schedule, the drivers are often away from their loved ones. Getting sentimental about his niece and nephews, Hamilton added, “I miss watching them grow up. That’s something that has helped me decide not to have children any time soon. I could never live with myself, missing all their important moments.”
#7 They can forget about having a social life
Choosing to embark on an F1 career meant making sacrifices and the greatest one that Bottas has made is losing out on family time: “I’ve missed many family and friends’ events. I’ve had to spend so much time away from them.” Similarly, Hamilton quoted missing out on school and teenage life as his greatest sacrifice.
Ultimately, like many other things, nothing comes easy. Despite the struggles, the drivers are thankful for their success in F1. “I wouldn’t change a day about my life. I’m living the dream so I’m not complaining,” Bottas concluded… much like these three young boys, who also have a need for speed.
And before you go, check out the wackiness that ensued when Hamilton and Bottas were introduced to hitz fm’s Arnold, RD, Jay, and Adam C…