F1 News - I don't know if it'll ever kick in - Hamilton
https://ift.tt/2z9MiCe Lewis Hamilton said he was struggling to come to terms with his achievement after clinching a fifth world title at the Mexican Grand Prix. The Mercedes driver's accompaniment means he draws level with Argentine legend Juan Manuel Fangio behind record holder Michael Schumacher on seven. Hamilton said: "I don't know if it is ever going to kick in. It hasn't kicked in right now. I hope it kicks in soon. "It gas been an incredible year, the toughest year mentally and physically." The 33-year-old sealed the championship with fourth place in what was one of Mercedes' weakest races this season, both cars struggling with tyre wear throughout. He said: "In my mind, it is another day of fighting and I still have more races to win. It is not over for me. "I have to go back and work with the engineers, debrief, get my mind right, start training again next week and get in gear so we can try and win (the next race) in Brazil. "We have struggled these last two races. I am conflicted but I am really happy it's over because it was a really tough race. "It came to the last lap and I was just like: 'Please, hold it together, don't make any mistakes.' "But it has been a long, long year and it wasn't won today; it was won by a cumulation of great races from us as a team so I am just thankful for everyone's help and support. "I have had incredible support. My fans have been amazing, my family have been so supportive, but most importantly Mercedes and my team, they have been the most incredible unit. "We have been so unified and we have really worked to raise the bar. I am really proud of everyone." Mercedes have won every single championship since turbo hybrid engines were introduced into F1 in 2014, which raises the real possibility that Hamilton could soon match Schumacher's all-time record of both championships and 91 wins. Hamilton is on 71 victories. But Hamilton said it was too soon to consider that. "I have to try and enjoy this one at the moment," he said. "You never know what is around the corner and up ahead of you. "Naturally you have to set your sights and goals high but right now it is really important to cherish every moment. "Time is so precious and I won't be standing here as a five-time world champion ever again so that is really what I want to try and enjoy right now. "Naturally I am gonna keep racing. I love doing what I do and the support I get is incredible and the fans really help cheer me on to make me continue doing what I really love. "To everyone back at home, I just want to say a big thank you to you whoever you are for your support and your opinion good or bad. I hope you are having a great weekend and I hope the rest of 2018 is an amazing year for you." Nigel Mansell, the 1992 world champion, said on Twitter: Many congratulations Mercs and Lewis brilliant job by both." Mario Andretti, the 1978 world champion, added: Love how modest and mature Lewis Hamilton is reacting after achieving his fifth world championship. Deserves all the credit Mercedes is giving him and moreā¦" Race winner Max Verstappen: "An amazing performance to win five titles and he has clearly been the more consistent one of the two fighting for the title." Third place Kimi Raikkonen: "He did the best job out of any of us as a driver and he deserves the win." #F1 via BBC Sport - Formula 1 https://ift.tt/OHg7x6 October 28, 2018 at 05:45PM Leave a Reply. |
Categories
All
Archives
November 2020
|
10/28/2018
0 Comments