text: Two-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton has opened up about the meaning behind his tattoos during an interview with lifestyle magazine Men's Health. The Mercedes racer, who leads the drivers' championship after two races of the 2015 season after finishing first and second, features on the front cover of the May edition of the popular health publication. In an interview in the latest issue of the magazine, released on Thursday April 2 the 30-year-old discusses the significance of his personal body art. Lewis Hamilton poses for the latest edition of Men's Health magazine released on Thursday April 2 . Hamilton looks to the skies as he shows off some of his tattoos as he explains the meaning behind them . Hamilton's tattoos and what they mean . The two-time Formula One champion features on the front cover of the new issue . 'I love my ink,' Hamilton explains. 'They all have a meaning. I'm very strong in my faith, so I wanted to have some religious images. I've got Pieta, a Michelangelo sculpture of Mary holding Jesus after he came off the cross, on my shoulder. 'A sacred heart on my arm. Musical notes, because I love music. The compass on my chest is there because church is my compass. 'Family is everything for me, so I have "family" written on the top, across my shoulders. "Faith", obviously. 'And I have "powerful beyond measure" written on my chest – it's a short bit I took out of a quote from the writer Marianne Williamson. On my back I have the cross and angel wings: rise above it, no matter what life throws at you.' Hamilton believes the physical demands of racing are often under-estimated by fans but he describes the physical demands on his body and the amount of training required. 'Well, I'm an athlete, but people tend not to see that with F1 drivers. I train to quite an intense level because Formula 1 is so physical – the G-forces, the demands on your body. Your heart rate is 150, 160 through the whole race. The Mercedes driver poses during the photoshoot for the May's issue of Men's Health . During the interview Hamilton discusses his body art and the physical demands of F1 . Hamilton finished second to Sebastian Vettel at the Malaysian Grand Prix last Sunday . 'On qualifying lap your heart rate can be up to 180, 190 under tough conditions. Every year you've got to be as light as you can. 'There's a certain weight limit, depending on how heavy the car can be. Last year I had to lose six kilos, I went from 73kg to 67kg. It was hardcore; I didn't have much to lose as it was. So I train a lot.' The full interview appears in the May 2015 issue of Men's Health, on sale 2nd April. Also available in digital edition on Apple Newsstand.
target: Lewis Hamilton features on front cover of the May issue of Men's Health .
  Formula One champion opens up about the meaning behind his tattoos .
  Hamilton discusses faith and the physical demands of being an F1 driver .
  Hamilton: Ferrari? Don't be silly... I am staying with Mercedes .
  CLICK HERE for all the latest news from the world of Formula One .