Adopting a vegan diet is the "only way to truly save our planet", Lewis Hamilton has said.

In a thoughtful post on Instagram, the F1 star described the world as a "messed up place" with leaders who are "either uneducated or don't care about the environment at all".

Going vegan "can be done so quickly", he said, adding: "All you have to do is put your mind to it."

Image: Part of the message Hamilton posted on Instagram

Addressing the future of the Earth, he said human extinction is becoming "more and more likely as we overuse our resources".

The 34-year-old, who sold his private jet earlier this year, said that "agriculture farming" was the biggest pollutant, and "far more than our travel industry combined".


His car collection is said to include two Ferraris, a McLaren, a Pagani Zonda and several types of Mercedes. There are a few motorbikes too.

Hamilton said a flourishing meat and dairy industry led to "deforestation, animal cruelty", and "our seas and climate decaying on a daily basis".

The ace driver continued: "We were taught that eating animal products was good for us but we've been lied to for hundreds of years."

The star, who is currently trying to secure a sixth Formula 1 Drivers' Championship, said he was sad that "so many people, even close friends, ignore what is happening daily".

Image: Hamilton celebrates with the Mercedes team after they won the constructors' championship

Hamilton said it had taken him "32 years to understand the impact I am having on the world and I'm figuring out daily what I can do to play a better part".

He continued: "I want my life to mean something and honestly up until now my life's had no meaning.

"Being a part of the issue is not meaningful. Being part of the solution is and I'm striving to do better. I urge you to do some research."