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Hamilton Ecstatic about Maiden F1 Title

Lewis Hamilton has become the first British driver to be crowned Formula 1 champion after Damon Hill in 1996 and he still can't believe it. After a dramatic race finish in Brazil, the Brit finally clinched the title and gave McLaren something to celebrate for after a long, unfruitful 'vacation' inside the Great Circle.

“I am struggling to say anything. I am just thankful and I am proud of the team around me that's given me the opportunity and I am just so thankful that I can return the favour. It was such a tough race, the toughest race of my life,” said an enthusiastic Hamilton at the end of the race.

The Brit admitted that this was probably the toughest race of his life and explained the mixed feelings he had during the last couple of laps. While running into 5th with a few laps to go, the McLaren driver was passed by Toro Rosso's Sebastian Vettel and struggled to regain that position in the dying laps. Nevertheless, he overtook Timo Glock a few corners to the finish line and secured a maiden F1 title.

“I had a problem with my tires, they were beginning to grain. There was nothing I could do, I was just trying to keep the car on the track. My heart was in my mouth when I was trying to get back in front of Vettel, but fortunately there was an opportunity to get past Glock. I did what I needed to do. So we came, we saw, we did what we needed and we go away.”

“I thought my heart was going to explode. I think everyone else was the same. I don't know what would have happened if I had lost out on the last lap. My tyres were shot, I was on such a heavy fuel load at the time. Felipe Massa did a fantastic job today, congratulations to him for his win and for challenging me all year. But it is great to be on top,” said Hamilton.

The Brit also argued that winning his first F1 title in the land of his childhood hero Ayrton Senna has made his victory even sweeter. “On Senna's home ground, it would always be special,” concluded the young Brit. After maybe the most dramatic season finale in the history of Formula One, Hamilton became the first black driver to be crowned F1 world champion.
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