Lewis Hamilton shows off ripped physique as F1 star ramps up training ahead of race return in two weeks

LEWIS HAMILTON has managed not to pile on the lockdown pounds judging by this ripped selfie.

The F1 world champion – who insists on a plant-based diet – has ramped up his exercise regime ahead of the sport’s return in Austria on July 5.

And in a warning to all his rivals, the Mercedes driver said he is raring to go after the “best training period he has ever had”.

Hamilton posted a topless gym photo to his 16.8 million Instagram followers.

He wrote alongside it: “With all that is happening in the world, my only get away is to train and channel the emotions and energy into building my body stronger.

“This has been the best training period I’ve ever had, I can’t stop and I won’t!

“Staying active both mentally and physically is so important today, I want to encourage those of you out there to keep working out even if it’s only for 20 minutes.

“Every little helps.”

Hamilton has done some soul searching during this enforced break from his sport.

And he recently revealed that his “only highlight” from was when he helped a child who was being bullied.

Following the death of George Floyd at the hands of a police officer in the United States, Hamilton, 35, has spoken candidly about the racist abuse he has suffered throughout his life.

He posted a picture of himself as a child in a karate outfit and said how the important learning the martial art had been to him.

Hamilton wrote: “This was me learning to defend myself.

“As a kid, I wanted to be able to stay safe but also be able to defend those who didn’t feel they could fight for themselves.

“Helping out a kid from being bullied was probably the only highlight of my school life but one I’m grateful for.”