Lewis Hamilton's Mexican GP
#HiFive: Lewis wins his fifth World Championship and seals the fifth consecutive Drivers’ title for Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport
In his 226th Formula One race – all of which have been powered by a Mercedes-Benz engine – Lewis claims his fifth FIA Formula One World Championship and becomes one of only three drivers who have won five or more championships, after Juan Manuel Fangio and Michael Schumacher.
Selected quotes from the Mercedes’ drivers and key personnel:
“Big congratulations to Lewis! He’s had another strong season, especially in the second half, and really deserved this title. When I lost my opportunity for the title this year, I tried to help him a little to win the World Championship, but I’m already looking forward to fight again next year. I’m really happy for Lewis.”
“Usually, we don’t acknowledge greatness until someone’s career is over, but we need to take a moment to recognize its presence – Lewis has now equalled Fangio’s record and there aren’t many like him out there! Lewis has been the differentiator this season – our car was the fastest at times, but not always; sometimes, like today, it was only the third-fastest. And yet Lewis’ performance was always was very stable, his race craft was absolutely great. It has always been one of his strengths, but this year it was definitely one of the key factors of his success. We’re very happy about Lewis’ fifth drivers’ title and our fifth in a row as a team.”
“After being on the receiving end of quite a whipping in the race today, it is extremely easy to overlook the scale of the remarkable achievement that Lewis and the team have put together. Lewis’ fifth world championship, his fourth with Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport – in a season which has tested all of us to the limit, considering that our car has not always had the pace to win from the front. Lewis’ contribution to keep us in the fight and to carve out his very, very well deserved championship will go down in history as one of the great performances in our sport. ”
“Honestly, it’s very hard to realize it at the moment. It’s something I dreamed of, but I never in a million years thought I’d be standing here today a five-time World Champion. I never knew that was going to happen and I am just so grateful to everyone who has helped me be here. I want to say a big thank you to all the fans here for making the Mexican Grand Prix as special as it is. And I want to say a big thank you to my team. Bono said on the radio – the Championship wasn’t won here, it was won through a lot of hard work and through a lot of races. So, I am so grateful for all the hard work back home, for PETRONAS, for all our partners and ultimately for Mercedes. I have been with Mercedes since I was 13, so to achieve the same thing Fangio had done with Mercedes so many years ago, is an incredible feeling and very surreal at the moment. The race itself today was pretty horrible. I got a great start and was really working my way up, but then we were really struggling with the tires, both Valtteri and I. I was just trying to hold on and bring the car home. Honestly, I am just so grateful. To my family back home, I love you, thank you for all the support. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for all the hard work my dad did and my family. This is a very humbling experience!”
JOMA