Lewis Hamilton has officially confirmed the heartbreaking closure of his plant-based restaurant venture, Neat Burger, marking a major setback for the seven-time Formula 1 world champion — but this time, the blow comes far from the racetrack.
Launched in 2019 alongside Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio, Neat Burger promised to revolutionize fast food with a 100% plant-based menu. But just six years later, the dream has come crashing down, with Hamilton’s team confirming the closure of all UK locations after the company suffered £7.9 million in losses in 2022 alone.
In a statement, Hamilton said: “I’ve always believed in creating positive change through the choices we make — from the food we eat to the businesses we support. Neat Burger was 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 out of that vision. Unfortunately, we’ve had to make the very difficult decision to shut down our UK restaurants. It’s incredibly disappointing, but I’m proud of what we set out to do.”
Hamilton, who adopted a vegan lifestyle in 2017, has been one of the most vocal advocates for healthy, sustainable eating in sport. He once described Neat Burger as a necessary alternative to fast food: “I believe we need a healthier high street option that tastes amazing and offers something exciting to those who want to be meat-free every now and again.”
Despite initial hype and expansion into cities like New York and Milan, Neat Burger struggled financially. The company’s losses grew by over £3 million in just a year, and with fewer than two UK locations remaining by early 2025, the final exit was imminent. Around 150 staff members are expected to lose their jobs.
Hamilton’s culinary setback follows a string of challenging results on the track, including a disappointing 7th-place finish in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Speaking after the race, he admitted: “I didn’t enjoy one second of it. I couldn’t understand why I was so off the pace. It’s frustrating when you feel like you’re doing everything right and still fall behind.”
Still, the F1 icon remains hopeful that this setback can lead to something greater: “Sometimes you have to take a step back to leap forward. This isn’t the end of the mission. It’s just a chapter that’s closing. We’ll keep pushing for change — in food, in sustainability, and in everything we believe in.”
Even with Ferrari now in his corner, Hamilton’s 2025 season has been riddled with challenges both on and off the circuit. But if history has shown anything, it’s that Lewis Hamilton never stays down for long.
