Lewis Hamilton admits his seventh Formula 1 championship hasn’t “sunk in” two weeks since the Turkish Grand Prix.
The Mercedes driver matched Michael Schumacher’s record in style with an impressive win in wet, slippery conditions in Istanbul, putting himself 110 points clear of Valtteri Bottas with three races to go.
And asked what he’d been doing in the days since, Hamilton admitted he had simply chilled out.
“I’ve generally just switched off,” he said. “It’s been really bad in the sense that I’ve got a lot of messages and I’m trying to catch up now.
“I’m super grateful for all the messages I got but people are probably wondering why I’ve not got back to them just yet.
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“I heard there were lots of positive reports back home in the UK, but I’m just focused on trying to be present and enjoy the period of time.
“It was definitely a lot different compared to other years when we’ve been successful because you can be around people,” Hamilton added, “but nonetheless I’m still grateful for it.
“I don’t think it’s sunk in yet, probably because we’re still racing and still keeping one eye on the job.”
Though both championships are now in the bag, and the focus may well shift to securing a new contract at Mercedes beyond 2020, on the track, Hamilton remains as motivated as ever.
“It’s in my DNA, it’s how I’m wired. I love that challenge,” he claimed.
“We’re coming into three races where the pressure is different but the focus now – yes, it’s getting the best performances out of these weekends, but it’s how can we extract a little bit more, how can we learn more from these weekends, almost use them as test races, so that we can apply what we learn in these three particularly, and what we’ve learned this year, into next year’s car?”
After his historic achievement though, reports are circulating that Hamilton will be honoured with a knighthood after being recommended by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
“I would never ever turn down the royal family,” Lewis, who previously downplayed the possibility, said when asked whether he would accept becoming a Sir.
“I’ve grown up the UK and I am an avid fan of theirs. It’s very surreal to hear, when you have grown up watching the news like everyone else, and your name is mentioned in parliament, it’s very surreal to hear that with all the things going on in the world they have a moment to mention and acknowledge the work that I have done.
“It’s definitely a surreal experience seeing that, but as far as I am aware there is a lot of talk and I have not really thought about it. But it would be an incredible honour. There is no greater honour than your country recognising you with such an award.”
