World champion Lewis Hamilton has pledged his future to McLaren, telling workers at the team's Surrey headquarters that he sees no reason to drive for anybody else. Three days after claiming his maiden title with a dramatic last-lap charge in the Brazilian Grand Prix, Hamilton received a hero's welcome from the 1,000 staff at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking.
Hamilton said: 'I'm with the team I always dreamt of driving with and when you're living your dream and you've got the car you always wanted to have, why would you need to change? I don't know how many years I'm going to be in Formula One. I haven't decided. Today I got in the car outside the factory and I had the biggest smile on my face. The day that I get in the car and I don't feel that, that will be the day I will need to retire. But I want to see my career out with this team.'
Dressed in the rocket red t-shirts traditionally worn by McLaren mechanics whenever one of their drivers wins a race, staff chanted 'Loo-is, Loo-is' as the 23-year-old, the youngest-ever F1 champion, sped into the foyer in his racing car. Clearly moved, he said: 'This is very emotional for me. To know that I'm a part of this team and to know I can make so many people happy is just a buzz for me. I'm overwhelmed.'
Hamilton recalled visiting McLaren's old headquarters as a 13-year-old and dreaming of being a driver like Ayrton Senna. He added: 'Since I've been coming here to the new building I've always walked down the main hall and hoped I would one day have my car there with number one on it. The thing is, we've all been through the troubles, all the trials, all the penalties, all the disappointments together. And we've risen to the top together. That's the mark of a true team. I'm just very proud to be a part of it all.'
The measure of Hamilton's impact on sport has led to speculation that he will become a billionaire, but he insisted money was not his motivation. He said: 'A billion pounds? What does that mean? What can you do with a billion pounds? The great thing is I drive for McLaren and they have the coolest car that I want. So why pay for it when I can earn it?'
Hamilton also praised Barack Obama, saying: 'I had a huge amount of respect for both candidates but I'm very happy and proud to see Obama at the front. I think it is great for the world so congratulations to him. Everyone saw last year that I lived my dream. It just shows that with a lot of hard work and dedication, anything is possible.'
