Formula 1 champion and vegan Lewis Hamilton has been recognised for boosting the merits of a plant-based diet by winning PETA’s 2018 person of the year.

The animal rights charity said Hamilton had been chosen for the award for proving how powerful eating vegan can be – and encouraging people around the world to save the planet by ditching meat and dairy products.

“Lewis Hamilton has proved to be not only a fantastic driver but also a force for good and a powerful ally of animals used for food,” PETA founder Ingrid Newkirksid.

“PETA is honouring him for inspiring his legions of fans to follow his lead, jump-start their own energy levels, and spare animals’ lives by going vegan.”

Hamilton was recently crowned Formula 1 champion for the fifth time and is recognised as one of the sport’s greatest ever drivers.

Outspoken

He often speaks about his vegan diet to the media and has been vocal about his motivation for making the switch.

“The pollution coming from the amount of cows that are being produced is incredible,” he said. “The cruelty is horrible and I don’t necessarily want to support that and I want to live a healthier life.”

The driver also regularly shares animal rights messages and photos of protein-packed vegan meals with his 8.3 million followers on Instagram.

Love animals

His official bio reads ‘[Plant] Based Diet. Love Animals’, while his social media posts are packed with pleas for compassionate eating, such as ‘please find it in your heart to not support this horrific cruelty and go plant-based!’.

Past recipients of PETA’s Person of the Year include Ricky Gervais, Brian May, and the late Sir Roger Moore.

• Read: Lewis Hamilton blasts ‘upsetting’ annual slaughter of dolphins

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