REFLECTIONS OF A SIX-TIME CHAMPION

Reflections of a six-time champion – Photo: LAT

Lewis Hamilton was in a loquacious and reflective mood when he met with the media after winning his sixth FIA Formula 1 world drivers’ championship.

By DAN KNUTSON

AUTO ACTION was there to hear what he had to say. Here are some excerpts.

How would Hamilton rate this title compared to the five before? Is it the easiest or the toughest?

“No way has it been the easiest,” he replied. “It’s been the hardest year for us as a team. We lost Niki (Lauda) this year. A crucial member and a real pivotal member of our team and the emotional rollercoaster that we’ve been on with losing him.

“We started the season honestly going off to Melbourne thinking that we were going to be behind. Mid-point of the season we were behind, and it’s been a real challenge, this second half of the season. It’s been the toughest second half of the season that I think we’ve had as a team, fighting against Ferrari and Red Bull, which is great, we welcome that.

“But I don’t know, every journey is different. Every year you go through a different rollercoaster ride of emotions to get to where you’re going. I wrote something in my post this morning, that each and every single one of us is struggling with something in life. Whatever it may be: small, big. I tried to show people that, from the outside, things always look great but it’s not always the case.

“And I am also struggling with lots of different things and battling certain demons and trying to make sure that I’m constantly growing as a person. I think yesterday was something that was sent to test me, and I was able to do one of my favourite races today, I think. I was really happy with that one.”

Hamilton frequently has not been happy with his qualifying performances this year, but overall, he has kept up a very consistent level, probably the highest seen from him. Would he say this has actually been his best season overall as a driver?

“I definitely think so,” Hamilton said. “I think last year was a year of just continuous growth and I think this year has also been continuous growth but I tried to make sure that I’ve started the season as I finished last year. And I think that’s just stayed through the season. If you looked, I’ve been very consistent in qualifying.

“I’ve not had particularly spectacular pole positions that perhaps I did last year – but it’s been first, second row the majority of the time, except for this weekend. And apart from Hockenheim – but I’ll give myself a pass for that weekend because I wasn’t really 100 per cent. Otherwise I think it’s been the best performing year.

“I’m working on a masterpiece and I haven’t quite finished it yet, so I’m trying to understand…it takes a long time to master a craft and whilst I feel like I am mastering it, there’s still more to master. There’s still more to add to it. There are still more pieces to the puzzle to add. There’s going to be more ups and downs along the way but I feel like I’ve got the best tools now, to this point at least, to be able to deal with those.”

AUTO ACTION asked Hamilton when he would have time to really enjoy this accomplishment of six titles.

“Usually the reflection comes at the end of the year when work finishes,” he said, “and you can just take a load off and just sit back and have a beer. I will be with my dogs, with my feet up and just only then you can have a moment to grasp how great a year it has been. In my mind, I’m just too competitive, so I’m thinking OK, we’ve got two more races to go, how am I going to do a better job, how am I going to improve in qualifying?”

For more of the latest F1 news pick up the current issue of Auto Action. Also make sure you follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or our weekly email newsletter for all the latest updates between issues.