“This is bigger than the first championship [2008] for a lot of reasons.
The first one was exceptional; an incredible feeling. Achieving your life’s
goal and winning a world championship is great. I don’t know if I was really
in a place to absorb it in the way I am today.
“I am just in a different stage of my life. Maybe it feels sweeter just
being a bit older, I don’t know. It’s very, very special and a very humbling
experience. Being part of this new team is definitely a more satisfying
experience. Something special.”
Hamilton’s family made a surprise visit to Abu Dhabi, before joining in the
jubilant celebrations. Much to Hamilton’s confusion – and his team boss,
Toto Wolff, who looked worse for wear – they called the post-race press
conference for 09:00, just a few hours after they got in.
The double champion went on: “I got to hang with everyone, my brother,
family, my girlfriend, and we left quite early, particularly as we had this
press conference – I didn’t suggest this early!
“I don’t know why it’s so early, but Toto is definitely feeling it way
more than I am. I feel fresh, I only had one drink last night, which is more
than good enough for me.
Sir Jackie Stewart: Hamilton’s win ‘great victory for Britain’
“Then when I was at the party thing there was some kind of cognac. I
generally drink cognac, so I poured a little bit in, but it didn’t taste
very nice. I had a couple of sips and that was it.
“I knew I had to be up early as well, and I want to be with my family as
well, all my best friends.
“Everyone has phones these days, and I didn’t want to be walking out of
the club… and it was all Formula One fans there as well, so I was
constantly being snapped.
Watch: Lewis Hamilton’s emotional thank you to his fans
“When I get home I’ll be with all my friends and family and then I can go
all out if I wanted to, and they will have the memoirs and the shots. I also
didn’t want it to be a one-night thing, I want it to be over a long time,
and I don’t really drink, so if I’d had any more to drink it takes me days
to recover.”
The next moves for Britain’s champion – congratulated by HRH Prince Harry over
team radio on Sunday – are to fly back to Monaco, spend some time with his
mother, Carmen, before visiting the Mercedes team factory in Brackley,
Northamptonshire.
With his contract running out at the end of 2015, Hamilton and the team are
eager to put pen to paper on a new deal, but it is just a formality. He is
expected to continue to earn around £20 million a year.