Q+A with Lewis Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton was overwhelmed with emotions after taking his first home race victory at Silverstone in front of 90.000 fans. The victory comes after receiving a lot of criticism of the press and some former F1 drivers. Hamilton talks about what happened after the race:

”I've got to admit, I was nervous! In front of my home crowd, I didn't want to mess this up for everyone. Even on my lap-to-grid, the track felt greasy and slippery in places and the car was starting to aquaplane. But at times like that, you've got to relax and once the race started I was quickly into a rhythm and everything seemed to come to me. I know you can never start feeling too confident because it can affect your concentration but I think I found the perfect balance out on the track on Sunday.”

”We got a bit of a party vibe going on there after the race! When I finished with the TV crews I walked back into the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Brand Centre and just found it packed with partners, team members and members of my family. Everybody started cheering and I felt a bit overwhelmed. My physio was so happy he took over the music system and put some tunes on to turn the place into a club! Notorious B.I.G, Ini Kamoze, Kanye West, party hip hop basically - a real mixture of old and new stuff - and that got everybody going! Everybody started dancing and I could finally start to relax with my family. You need a bit of time on your own after a performance like that just to get yourself back on the ground but it was great to have my family, friends and colleagues all joining in the celebration.”

”Monza 2007 was our last team photo when Fernando and I finished one-two. Although this wasn’t a one-two it was very much another special result for the team after a couple of difficult races so it was a good sign of solidarity for everybody. The team has been working so hard recently and this result was as much for them as it was for me.”

”It was crazy! I got a shuttle from the paddock, and before I could even get in it I was mobbed by fans. I always try and sign as many autographs and pose for as many pictures as I can - because I never like to leave people disappointed but sometimes it is just impossible, I’m sorry. I know you can always do more, but I really hope people understand that I give as much as I can to the fans and couldn't do what I do without their support. Once we got to the venue, I bumped into Sir Jackie Stewart and Jenson Button and then went on stage with my brother Nic. That was the biggest roar I've ever heard - it left me speechless for a while. That sort of thing just gives me such a buzz and makes days like this feel even more valuable and worthwhile. It was an awesome feeling to see the sea of Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Rocket Red caps and flags being waved and to hear their cheering and chanting.”

”I was in my room preparing for the start and Nic came in to see me. I told him I was worrying about the race and whether I would be able to get through it without making a mistake. He told me not to worry; he told me I was a great wet-weather driver and reminded me of a Cadet kart race I did years ago where I lapped every single one of the karts twice! That made me feel a whole load better and gave me some much needed additional self confidence to go out there and drive as strongly as I did.”

”It's awesome, but I also feel humbled, to be honest. To be included up there with greats such as Stewart and Senna – not that I would claim that myself of course - is one of the reasons why I've pushed so hard throughout my motorsport career. But it hasn't really sunk in yet: sometimes you need a night and a day before you really start to feel the impact of all you've achieved. And you can't really rate one drive against others; people told me it reminded them of Ayrton at Donington in 1993 but I couldn't really say – what an unbelievable comparison though. All I know is that, like Ayrton, I've worked hard my entire racing career to be the best and a result like Sunday's is the reason for all of that.”

”Nothing ever slows down in my life! There's no time to reflect on Silverstone just yet as I'm flying to Germany on Monday and will be in the car testing at Hockenheim on Tuesday and Wednesday. Maybe there will be a bit of time to relax later in the summer and take a holiday - but not yet...”