Lewis Hamilton says he is still finding it difficult to come to terms with the fact that he is a double Formula One world champion.
Speaking at the Mercedes team hotel at 9am in the morning after his title-clinching win in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday he said: “It hasn’t sunk in yet, but it was definitely an incredible feeling to wake up this morning feeling fresh in my surroundings and with all the different people who have been involved in my career over 21 years. The sun is shining and I feel really blessed.
“I’ve not looked in depth at my phone, but it’s gone crazy with all the messages, emails and texts. It will take easily the next couple of weeks to get through them as I always like to get back to them.”
He then described the aftermath of his 11th win of the season at the Yas Marina Circuit, the 33rd overall victory of his career, which meant he had become only the fourth British driver to become a multiple world champion.
He said: “I had a great evening. It was quite busy at the track, there was so much energy within the team which has been through so much, even way before I came here.
“The happiness within the team was amazing to see, talking through that and embracing every one.
“Then I came back with my family and had a nice dinner and reminisced over all the different things we had experienced over the years.
“We talked about sitting in the back of the trailer with flasks of Knorr chicken noodle soup and sitting by the gas heater, shaking my dad’s hand before heading out on track, all the stages we went through.
“Then I popped out to the party – and Toto [Wolff, Mercedes executive director] was all over the place at that point!
“All the team was there and I mingled with everyone, with everyone enjoying themselves with all the stress and worry gone, seeing people in the happiest moment of their lives.
“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.
“I don’t drink champagne. I had a water melon juice at dinner, which is my favourite.
“Then when I was at the party there was some kind of cognac thing. I generally drink cognac, so I poured a little bit in, but it didn’t taste very nice, so. 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.
“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.”
