Lewis Hamilton has admitted he does not drink during a race – because he doesn’t want to pee himself again.
The seven-time world champion has taken part in hundreds of races in Formula One, winning world titles with McLaren and Mercedes.
But those races can stretch on for a long time and when you’re in the hotseat, there are no bathroom breaks.
Speaking on YouTube channel First We Feast, taking part in their legendary Hot Ones series, Hamilton admitted he had to force himself to pee while racing in Singapore a few years ago – the only time he has had to relieve himself.
“We do have a drink tube in the car, but I never drink in the car, I just forget most of the time,” he said.
“So I usually have that weight taken out. It’s only like 500ml.
“But other drivers… most drivers as far as I’m aware pee in the car.
“I’ve drunk a lot before so literally just before I get in the car, I go as many times as possible right at the last minute.
“But I just can’t bring myself to pee myself. I have once, it was Singapore. Oh god, it was like two or three years ago maybe.
“Basically, the safety car came out and I was behind the safety car, I was like, ‘I am dying’.
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“And honestly, when your bladder is full with the G-force that you’re pulling, it is the most uncomfortable feeling.
“You just can’t focus on your job so I remember trying to go and I really had to force it. It’s really hard! But luckily I haven’t had to do it, only once.”
Formula 1 drivers do have the option to include something called a ‘slip-on catheter’ in their car before a race starts that stores urine.
However, with many drivers desperate to keep the weight of their cars to as low as possible, many do not bother.
Instead, if they have to go, they just go – in their racing suits.
Fortunately, they do not have to worry about being damp for too long as the extreme temperatures usually dry up the mess pretty quickly.