Reaction to Hamilton's F1 title

 

 

Britain's Lewis Hamilton has become the youngest world champion in Formula One history.

 

Ferrari driver Felipe Massa won the season's final race in Brazil, but fifth for the 23-year-old was enough to send his McLaren team and watching family delirious.

 

BBC Sport gathers the reaction to his phenomenal achievement.

 

DAMON HILL, BRITISH 1996 WORLD CHAMPION

"That was the most exciting Formula One race I have ever seen in my life and it was for the world title. We are going to put on the biggest party for him at the British Grand Prix next year.

 

"You have to feel a little for Felipe Massa. He did everything asked of him in front of his home crowd but it was not to be. I feel sorry for him but it has been such a great day. Lewis has pulled it off and I think he will go on to win many more world championships.

 

"It will be very interesting to see the effect. Lewis is a new character in F1 and he's going to carry the sport into new areas.

 

"There will be a lot of kids out there who will now just want to be Lewis Hamilton."

 

ANTHONY HAMILTON, LEWIS'S FATHER

"This is the culmination of 16 years of hard work. Hopefully this will be an inspiration for other families and kids. When we started we had nothing, no money.

 

"But after a lot of hard work we are top of the world. It shows it can be done. Hard work, dedication, respect to your family, respect to all people, fantastic."

 

 

GORDON BROWN, PRIME MINISTER

"I, like so many, want to congratulate him on becoming world champion. I think the whole country is thrilled by his exceptional talent.

 

"The whole of Britain is now congratulating him, and is proud of the inspirational achievement of Lewis and the McLaren team. "

 

 

DAVID CAMERON, CONSERVATIVE LEADER

"Congratulations to Lewis Hamilton who has made everyone in Britain so very proud.

 

"One of the most dramatic races in Formula One history ended with the right man winning the world championship.

 

"Lewis is not just the youngest ever winner of the championship he is now officially a British sporting legend and a role model for what you can achieve if you follow your dream."

 

 

SIR JACKIE STEWART, THREE-TIMES WORLD CHAMPION

"Lewis will be a worthy British world champion. He's had a fantastic season. There's no reason why he can't win more. He's with probably the best racing team in the world.

 

"He's a very lucky boy to be there so early in his career with the team's support, skill, resources and technology behind him. He's a man with exceptional talent and raw skill."

 

 

JOHN WATSON, 1982 F1 CHAMPIONSHIP THIRD-PLACE

"I have never seen a finish like that in any Grand Prix. The Ferrari team were already celebrating victory. Talk about drama.

 

"Please, Lewis Hamilton, if you are going to win another championship, make it easier for us! Lewis is remarkable.

 

"To achieve what he has at that age. He does not just drive the car - he wrings its neck, and that is what a racing driver is supposed to do.

 

"We have now got a real role model and he will also be a worthy world champion."

 

 

SIR STIRLING MOSS, FOUR-TIME F1 RUNNER-UP

"It was absolutely staggering. I thought the whole race was terrific and I think the right man won, Massa deserved it, and Lewis won the world title in a tremendous finish.

 

"He's a racer. When you watch the way he drives, it's exciting because he gets on with it.

 

"He's tremendous on braking and he conserves his car, he's good in the wet, good in the dry - he's a remarkably good driver."

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/7705325.stm

guess that's sports personality of the year sorted then!

 

damn.

 

S

Just one point :cry:

But, congrats Felipe Massa!!

He is a great brazilian :heart:, good job!

Aww poor Massa. :cry: He did awesome, and it was sooo close. It's amazing how Lewis just got around the corner at the last minute to get 5th.

 

Congrats to him anyways! But Massa's a winner in my heart. :nice:

Clearly congrats to Luis..... Actually I think his win was pretty bad...how he won you know...Poor Felipe Massa ....He was lucky though Luis...very lucky...I guess it was fate..

"It was an emotional day for me. You get here and you've almost done everything perfect but we saw Lewis passing Glock again and that mixed emotion.

 

I feel Massa Really.... Vettel did a really good job passing Hamilton.... Me and my siblings were so happy he passed hamilton we thought his championship was over.... We were really ecstatic SHouting so loud and screaming our heads out in excitement..(even though its 3 am in here) ... THen we did not see it I was suprised too really.... Hamilton At 5th... WE were like

 

WTF?????!!!!!... THen we saw GLock .... it really tore my heart apart,,,, really........... GLock wasted the 30 seconds he coulve just held on to it.....:((((( ...... Im sad now... but its ok Even if i loathe Hamilton and my family also... ill say it was a great f1 season... and congrats to the brit..next year then!!!!!!!

Grrrrrr......Timo Glock......argh he ruined it! :cry: *sigh* That completely killed me, the fact that Massa practically had it in the bag and then Glock just fucked the thing up for Massa. :angry:

But Massa's a winner in my heart. :nice:

Oh, so cute! :blush:

 

I was happy and seconds after... :( But it was a great f1 season!

Oh, so cute! :blush:

 

I was happy and seconds after... :( But it was a great f1 season!

 

Haha thanks! :nice:

 

Yeah, despite that disappointment with Massa it was great. Can't wait til next season!

Clearly congrats to Luis..... Actually I think his win was pretty bad...how he won you know...Poor Felipe Massa ....He was lucky though Luis...very lucky...I guess it was fate..

 

I don't think Lewis Hamilton's race was bad. He clearly didn't aim to finish much higher than fifth. Anyway Massa did all he could and he deserves credit for that. Still you need to remember that a world championship isn't won or lost in one race.

Regardless of the winner, that was one hell of a race. I was jumping up and down screaming during the last lap when Hamilton was catching up :lol:

^^ agreed i loved it too