Do responses such as those give you the energy you need to keep going?
Even if I didn’t get a reaction from anyone, that wouldn’t stop me – it’s just how I’m wired. I like to think that I’m having a positive impact. I think we’re all trying to discover our purpose and each year I discover more of mine. Having a really positive impact on people’s lives, sending out positive messages and helping to educate people, all while trying to constantly educate myself. I don’t know everything. I’m still reading about things and discovering things on the way, but everything I touch in general is moving in the direction of sustainability. I’ve been pushing it and being vocal about it.

Mercedes-Benz has set itself ambitious goals towards a sustainable future and emission-free mobility by 2039. Are you happy with that? 
It’s about being sustainable and circular, recycling things. It’s great seeing Mercedes moving forward in using sustainable materials in cars, moving forward with electric cars. Or the fashion brand Tommy Hilfiger, who has pushed to use more recycled fabrics. Or getting my collection out and working towards 100 per cent sustainable materials. With everyone I’m working with, I’m trying to do that. Of course, everyone has their right to their own opinion, so there are people that think differently and that’s their choice. I’m not forcing it upon them. For myself, I wish I’d had the education of what I know now – I wish I’d known it ten years ago, or more.

Does that urge explain why Australia’s recent wildfires moved you so much? 
At the end of 2019, I saw the news about the fires, the devastation and how it affected people who live in Australia, but the animals even more so. After Christmas, I heard that 1.5 billion animals had perished within a year. I couldn’t get my mind around that number. I was devastated by it. I felt helpless. I was on my break and asked my team what I could do in order to help. Can I fly over there now? I ended up donating to support the effort. But my mindset was: when I’m in Australia, I want to take a day and see where that money is going and get to see the people that are affected first-hand. When you drive into the mountains, you notice that all the trees are black and burned – as far as the eye can see. There has been a regrowth, so some grass is starting to reappear and some green back on the trees. I got to meet a couple of animals that were affected by it and these amazingly beautiful people who are dedicating their time and their lives to those animals. They are really the heroes and the inspiring ones. After seeing them, I felt some hope for the future.

In how far are you pushing for change in Formula 1? 
The first thing people will say is, we travel around, fly to different locations and drive cars that emit CO2. So, you’re conflicted the entire time, but that’s the business. And whether I’m in it or not, it will continue. That’s just how business goes. But I have a powerful voice within the business. Changing it from within is my goal. Leaning on Mercedes really helped me – supporting their movement of not only being the best car brand but being the most sustainable. For many companies, being sustainable was once just a box-ticking exercise – “We recycle paper” or something – but it’s now becoming more and more of a priority within these businesses. It’s still not number one, but slowly with the pressure from outside and climate experts, it has started to be pushed to a priority within organisations such as Formula 1. Now, Formula 1 is starting to take action.

Meaning what precisely? 
Massive amounts of plastic are left in the regions where we race over a weekend. So, I encourage the teams to recycle and to not use plastic – it’s these seemingly small things that ignite a thought process. Positive things come from it. I’d like to think that I’ve been a part of that mindset change and I would be proud if that were true.

If you imagine yourself in the future and look back at this moment, what would you be the proudest of? What would stand out? 
If I look back in 20 years’ time, the racing part will be only one aspect of my career.

You’re kidding, Lewis. You will be remembered as a legend of racing!
Well, even though what we’ve achieved right now is pretty big, it’ll be the smallest thing in my mind in the future. My goal is to help change an industry to accept diversity and to be forward-thinking, and to move towards a greener outlook. My goal is to continue to succeed because that gives me the platform – the step on the ladder to shout as loud as I want, and project views and knowledge, while having the power to change things. It hasn’t been a diverse business or sport since I’ve been here and since way before me. I’ve been here 14 years and diversity is still not written big. 

Could you explain that, please?
When I retire in the next three or four years, there won’t be another black driver or Person of Colour in the sport for some time. Could be 10 years, could be more. And it’s not only that. It’s catering. It’s marketing. It’s engineers, mechanics, travel-team – literally across the board. The pool from which they recruit is not diverse enough either. So, there is still a lot for me to do. I can win any number of championships, but if I don’t succeed in that area, it will all be for nothing.