COVID has made 2020 F1 season a “lonely journey” - Hamilton

Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton says strict restrictions surrounding COVID-19 have made his 2020 Formula 1 season a “lonely journey”. 

In a dramatic change to his usual lifestyle outside of race weekends - which typically has involved large amounts of travel and commitments relating to his fashion and music interests - Hamilton has been forced to live within a ‘bubble’ environment to avoid unnecessary COVID-19 risks. 

F1 drivers were reminded of the risks associated with coronavirus and the potential impact of contracting the disease could have on their seasons and careers when Sergio Perez was ruled out of both Silverstone races after testing positive for COVID-19 following a trip home to Mexico. 

In a bid to minimise risks, Hamilton has been living in his motorhome on race weekends with trainer Angela Cullen and his pet dog Roscoe since the delayed 2020 season began at the start of July. 

An intense run of races, including three triple-header events in 11 weeks, has added to what Hamilton described as being “a real challenge” as the Briton seeks to equal Michael Schumacher’s all-time record of seven world championships this year. 

Speaking about adjusting to the ‘new normal’ in F1, Hamilton admitted: "I think it's definitely a challenge, but obviously everyone's in the same boat. 

“Probably the journey of an F1 driver fighting for a championship, it can often feel like a lonely journey. 

"That's magnified this year, obviously with having to limit people who are in your bubble, and of course moving around.

"What I used to do in the past was the travelling, was other things that I was finding positive. But getting to be around friends, getting to find the perfect balance this year, it's much, much harder to implement those other things that help keep a balance. 

"I don't know, it's hard to put the words together. But everyone's doing it, I think. It's a real challenge, and a real test mentally for me personally. 

“I don't know how it is for you guys, maybe you're seeing your families and stuff, but I'm not.  But as you can see, I'm focused and as driven as ever, and it's a marathon, not a sprint. 

"So I just keep my head down. I know that I'll get to enjoy myself a little bit more at the end of the year when nothing is particularly at risk, and I can hopefully be with family then."