Lewis Hamilton has paid tribute to his Mercedes team after receiving the Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship trophy in the FIA gala in Russia.
The Briton barely put a foot wrong throughout 2018 with his remarkable consistency after a slow start, and it was certainly too much for Sebastian Vettel and Ferrari who’s challenge wilted after the summer break.
Speaking in St. Petersburg, however, the now five-time champion insisted his latest triumph was absolutely a collective one.
“I wouldn’t be up here without this incredible team, I’m just really a chink in the chain,” Hamilton said. “There’s so many people in the background who are the unsung heroes.
“We’re the ones who come up here and are seen and receive these great awards, but it couldn’t have been done without this great team.
“It’s been a real privilege being with Mercedes-Benz the last six years.”
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For the 33-year-old his hunger is still far from satisfied as he looks to 2019 and beyond with Michael Schumacher’s 91 wins and seven world titles entering the frame.
“I feel like I’m still not at my best,” Hamilton claimed earlier this week. “I’m just on the way there, I’ve still got lots of work to do.
“We’ve just signed for another two years so ’19 and ’20 are going to be interesting. My goal is to make sure Ferrari don’t win a championship within those two years – or Red Bull.
“This next month I’m going to sit down and figure out where I can be better.
“I asked my team to send me an email from several different departments, asked them to be blunt because I’m looking to be the all-time great and that means winning in all areas.”