F1 Pays Homage To The New Champ

Monday 3rd November 2008

The Formula One fraternity is this morning paying tribute to the sport's newest Champion, Lewis Hamilton, who became the youngest-ever Champ when he took the title in Brazil.

2008 runner-up Felipe Massa: "We should congratulate Lewis for a great Championship. He scored more points than us, so he deserves to be champion."

McLaren team boss Ron Dennis: "If you look at the statistics, he has won more points, more races and had more podiums in the last two years than any other driver.

"He is now the youngest World Champion ever, and he just keeps on delivering. At the end of the day, he is two years into his career, and there is a long way to go."

Britain's last Champ Damon Hill: "I send my heartfelt congratulations to the Hamilton family - it will have to go down as one of the most exciting Formula One races ever.

"It's a momentous day. We're here celebrating another British World Champion and I'm really pleased. He will go on and win more Championships.

"He's been through the biggest, toughest test you can possibly go through and he's bringing the cup home here."

Former Champ Sir Jackie Stewart: "There's no reason why he can't win more. He's with probably the best racing team in the world. He's a lucky boy to be there so early in his career with the team's support, resources and technology behind him. He's a man with exceptional talent.

"I've never seen anything like it in history. It came down to the end a championship at the last corner of the last lap of the last grand prix of the season."

Former team boss Eddie Jordan: "I've had a few scary moments myself - but I've never seen anything like it.

"Within a couple of corners of the finish he'd gone... I don't think anyone would want to go through that again.

"I don't want to be critical of Ron Dennis at this moment because it's a big moment for him...but by being defensive he allowed Ferrari to take the upper hand today.

"And just by a fraction of luck at the very last moment he just got it back. I don't think he'd get away with that again."

"I thought Felipe Massa in winning, and Lewis and Anthony Hamilton were very dignified people.

"It puts Formula One on a very good level in terms of people competing against each other, down to the last second of the last Grand Prix of the season. They come out of it with dignity and style.

"There's dignity in the Hamilton family - Lewis has been very gracious to his father for his support.

"I think he'll make an outstanding World Champion and will go on from here - but Massa looked very strong.

"It will give great competition in years to come."

Sir Stirling Moss: "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.

"He's learning every year. It's very difficult comparing drivers from my era, when it was really dangerous, to now, so it's not like for like.

"But I think if you're talking about a man's ability to control a car, use a car, I think he's up there (with the best) now."

Moss is widely regarded as the most talented driver to have never won the World Championship.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown: "I, like so many, want to congratulate him on becoming world champion - the first championship I think of many that he's going to win in years to come.

"I think the whole country is thrilled by his exceptional talent.

"I think the whole of Britain are proud of the inspirational Lewis Hamilton and the McLaren team."

Conservative leader David Cameron: "One of the most dramatic races in Formula One history ended with the right man winning the World Championship.

"Lewis is now officially a British sporting legend and a role model for what you can achieve if you follow your dream."

Former F1 racer Johnny Herbert: "I think he could go on to break the record set by Michael Schumacher - especially because he has done it at such a young age.

"He is very inexperienced, relative to the others.

"But he has an aggressive driving style - and with the success he has had very early, as long as the team can give him the goods, there is no reason whe he cannot go on to win more Championships than Schumacher."

The Queen: "To Lewis Hamilton esquire, I'm delighted that you succeeded in winning the Formula One World Championship to become the youngest-ever champion.

"I send you my warmest congratulations on your remarkable and historic achievement."

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