3eab280af5d38fbcc8bfaf9b9fc7e52b05187d78

Hamilton on being five-time champion: "This is definitely my best year"

22:50, 28 Oct 2018

byNicolás Quarles van Ufford

Speaking on his recently acquired fifth drivers' championship, Lewis Hamilton thinks that this was his best year as a driver, as he wrapped up the title in Mexico with two races to go in the 2018 season.

Hamilton needed to finish seventh or higher to secure his title in case his rival Sebastian Vettel won the race, but the latter part didn't happen, and the former did. Hamilton has now equalled the late great Juan Manuel Fangio, who also won five titles back in the 50's

"I try not to allow myself to get emotional in public, but right now I just feel very humbled by the whole experience," Hamilton revealed to Sky Sports F1.

"It's hard to realise it at the moment, it's something that I dreamed of - but never in a million years did I think I would be standing here today as a five-time world champion. I never knew that was going to happen.

"I'm just so grateful for everyone who helped me to be here. The guys who are here at the garage, the guys back at the factory have helped me raise the bar and lift this trophy, I couldn't have done this without them.

"And my family. My Dad truly believed that we had it better than all of the other drivers when we were younger."

Speaking on how this championship compares to the other four he has won, he thinks that this was his best one out of the lot, as it was his best year as a driver - and as a person.

"It's definitely my best year. And that's the goal. When I won the championship last year, I was like, 'how am I going to improve? How can I be fitter? How can I be more focused? How can I be a better all-round driver?'.

"I've tried to be a better son, to be a better friend - just in all areas. I think this year I've been able to lift them all up, I'm not sure if that's something to do with age, but I'm sure experience helps. I honestly feel like I've performed my best this year so I'm very, very happy with how it's gone.

"I hope that this kicks in soon. I definitely feel more excitement coming as I'm thinking about it more."