Source:REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov
[Saba Sports News] F1 seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton quietly traveled to Jiuzhaigou, Sichuan, for a horseback ride three days before the start of the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix, enjoying the company of snow-capped mountains, meadows, and Tibetan culture. In an interview, he candidly described the place as “breathtakingly beautiful” and praised the natural scenery and cultural depth of China as beyond imagination. After arriving in China with his mother, Hamilton did not stay in Shanghai but headed directly to Zhongchagou on the west side of Jiuzhaigou.
From the leaked video, Hamilton was seen wearing a dark jacket while riding a gentle pony through the primeval forest and calcified river valleys, completing a 5-kilometer horseback route, with stops to take pictures of the continuous snow peaks and seas of wildflowers. The pure air of the plateau made him say he felt “instantly revitalized,” shaking off the fatigue from the long flight. Besides horseback riding on the plateau, Hamilton also deepened his experience in local Tibetan villages, participating in the production of butter tea, Thangka painting, and other intangible cultural heritage activities, as well as visiting a museum to learn about the weaving techniques of yak down.
The editor believes that Hamilton’s “high commercial play” is noteworthy. While other drivers are adapting to the track in Shanghai, he has already discovered the hidden gems of Western Sichuan. Research shows that interacting with nature or participating in controlled risk activities can enhance athletes’ resilience to setbacks.