Abu Dhabi: The newly crowned Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton had recommended to his Mercedes team for a championship press conference to be held the next day to commemorate his memorable triumph.
Being a thorough professional that he is, the Briton shunned wild celebrations after clinching his second drivers’ title with a comfortable victory in the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, for the early press meet.
There were plenty of drowsy eyes attending the media briefing at 9am at the Westin Abu Dhabi Hotel and even Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff looked a bit dazed but the man of the moment, Hamilton was fresh as if he was all set to race again.
“I did suggest about this [Championship press conference] but I didn’t know that they would keep it so early. However, I had kept my party short so I’m good,” said Hamilton, the 2008 champion who became only the fourth Briton to win two world titles.
“I had a great evening. It was quite busy at the track. The happiness within the team was amazing. Lot of talking, embracing everyone and there was so much energy within the team.
“Then had a quiet dinner with family and talked about various things I had experienced over the years. Taking about the days sitting in the back of a trailer have pop mellow and opening up and heating the chicken soup,” revealed the Englishman, for whom the victory was yet to sink in.
“Ya, it hasn’t sunk in yet. Definitely, it was an incredible feeling to wake up this morning fresh, feeling grateful for my surroundings and all the people who have been involved in my career for 21 years. Sun is shining this morning and I’m feeling pretty blessed,” said Hamilton, who clinched his 11th win of the season, compared to Nico Rosberg’s five and finished 67 points clear at the top of the title standings.
The 29-yr-old’s attention was immediately turned towards the next season and he asserted that he can be more effective next season.
“I’ve not looked into depth of what I would be doing next week. My phone has been going crazy with messages, emails and texts that probably I never had in my all life. I will be in the factory next week and working on next year’s car. Naturally, it is going to be a dream to be able to go into next season and go in even stronger. That will be the goal,” said Hamilton, who felt the car being precisely same would help them keep the edge.
“In 2009, the car was a lot different; the aerodynamics of the car changed, whereas next year it is similar. I do believe that working with Petronas, we can improve the engine and car. I know we are making positive steps in that way, and I am looking forward to going into the factory, downloading every bit of input I can, and looking at areas I can improve.”
One of the areas where Hamilton is keen on working on is the qualifying where his teammate Rosberg has got the better of him — winning 12-7.
“This year has shown that race day is the most important. But it definitely makes the race twice as hard when you are not ahead of your teammate with the same car,” said Hamilton, who assured that unlike the turbulent 2014 with Rosberg, one will see more maturity from both drivers next season.
“There is always tensions between the rival teams and drivers. Nico was there right till the end pushing me and that is what you want from your competitor. We are teammates and we have to make sure that we get those cars across the line first or second. So, there is always going to be that internal rivalry. I’m sure we both will handle things in a better way for sure.”