Dubai: Lewis Hamilton has admitted at being “blown away” by the guard of honour accorded to him when the world champion-elect returned to the team base in the UK on Monday.
“This is a very emotional day. I was not expecting this, thanks everyone for the warm welcome. Today is something that I will never forget, turning up at the front gate of the factory and seeing everyone out on the street to welcome me — I’m blown away,” Hamilton said.
“This has been an incredible year, it’s been an incredible journey together. There’s a huge amount of respect and appreciation I have for everyone. I’ve been in the sport for a long time now, but to see the work ethic in Brixworth and Brackley really inspires me. Every time I come around, I see everyone operating at 100 per cent, which encourages me to bring my best performance.”
Hamilton clinched his fourth Drivers’ Championship in Mexico at the end of October. With only the final round remaining in Abu Dhabi, the British driver has 345 points, while rival from Ferrari, Sebastian Vettel, is in second with 302 points and Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas in third with 280. Mercedes also won a fourth World Constructors’ Championship at the end of the US Grand Prix. They currently have 625 points, while Ferrari are second with 495 points and Red Bull Racing third with 358.
The 2017 champions took some time out of their busy schedules on Monday to celebrate this year’s achievements. Two weeks before the FIA Prize Giving Gala, which will officially crown Lewis and Mercedes with their fourth world championships, the Silver Arrows team paid special tribute to Hamilton, who first celebrated in Brixworth before marking the occasion in Brackley, where he was welcomed with the guard of honour. Hamilton believes that the success has been due to team work.
“Thank you all for helping me achieve my dreams, it would not have been possible without you. This is the best championship year, because we’ve been fighting another team and because we’ve had the difficulties and challenges we’ve had — that just makes it so much greater,” the 32-year-old from Stevenage said.
