Triumphant Hamilton keen on winning more championships
British driver Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes-AMG celebrates on the podium at the Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi after winning the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix on Sunday. AFP PHOTO
What you need to know:
- Mercedes dominated the season with a record 16 wins in 19 races - 11 to Hamilton and five to Rosberg - and produced speed and consistency that left their rivals stranded.
- The team now appear poised to enjoy an era of supremacy like that of Germans Michael Schumacher, at Ferrari, and Sebastian Vettel, at Red Bull.
“The first title was an exceptional and an incredible feeling for me,” said Hamilton. - “Being a part of this team is definitely a more satisfying feeling. Winning this championship with this team — a young team that has worked so hard to get to where we are,” he added.
Abu Dhabi
Two-time world champion Lewis Hamilton Monday said he is determined to keep winning Formula One titles with Mercedes after his triumph in Abu Dhabi.
After a night of partying following Sunday’s Grand Prix victory, the 29-year-old Briton said he would get immediately down to work improving the car for next season.
“We want to be able to go into next season and compete again and be as strong as possible.
“That’s obviously going to be the goal and I have absolute faith in the team that we will come back very, very strong next year.”
Hamilton’s victory, after Mercedes team mate and season long rival Nico Rosberg made a poor start from pole position and then suffered mechanical problems on his way to finishing 14th, added a second title to the first won in 2008.
SPEED AND CONSISTENCY
Mercedes dominated the season with a record 16 wins in 19 races - 11 to Hamilton and five to Rosberg - and produced speed and consistency that left their rivals stranded.
The team now appear poised to enjoy an era of supremacy like that of Germans Michael Schumacher, at Ferrari, and Sebastian Vettel, at Red Bull.
“The first title was an exceptional and an incredible feeling for me,” said Hamilton.
“That was achieving a life-long goal of getting to Formula One and winning the world championship. I don’t know if I was in a place to really embrace it and absorb it in the way I can today.
“Being a part of this team is definitely a more satisfying feeling. Winning this championship with this team — a young team that has worked so hard to get to where we are,” he added.
“To be a part of that is something really very special. You see the atmosphere in the team, you see the guys at the factory and what’s gone on with the partnership with Petronas and all the guys back at the factories in Brackley and Brixworth putting the team together.
“Being in a different stage in my life, it just feels sweeter being a bit older. It’s very special and a humbling experience.”
Having apparently pushed aside their once bitter rivalry, Hamilton and Rosberg are already favourites to repeat their duel next year. (AFP)
