Lewis Hamilton thanks team at McLaren facility in England

Lewis Hamilton thanked McLaren personnel for helping him become Formula One's youngest champion and said he plans to spend the rest of his career with the team.

The 23-year-old Briton drove around the lake at McLaren's technology center in an F1 car and received a big ovation from many of the 1,000 employees at the site.

Hamilton, who has a 75-million-pound ($120 million; 94 million euro), five-year contract with McLaren, said he could never envision driving for anyone else.

"It's easy," he said. "I'm with the team I've always dreamed of being with and if you have the car of your dreams then why would you want to leave? The day I get in the car and don't have the motivation, maybe that's the time to get out but I want to see my career out with this team."

Hamilton returned to Britain after finishing fifth in the Brazilian Grand Prix on Sunday, taking the season title by one point ahead of race winner Felipe Massa of Ferrari.
"We have proved to everyone that we are the best team and we have the best car," said Hamilton, who is also F1's first black champion. "We have been under so much pressure and we have lost together and won together and this weekend we have won the world championship."

He said retaining his title next season would depend on avoiding penalties and mistakes.

"We want to make sure that we come out on top again and, for my part, I want to be even better," he said. "I'm even more determined having had a taste of it."

Hamilton shook hands and posed for pictures with employees amid a shower of confetti. His father, Anthony, and pop singer girlfriend Nicole Scherzinger were also on hand.

"These trophies are a result of all your hard work and you should pat yourselves on the back," he said. "I love this team. I'm not going anywhere."

Hamilton's visit came on the same day he received a congratulatory message from Queen Elizabeth II.

"I'm delighted that you succeeded in winning the Formula One World Championship to become the youngest-ever champion," she wrote. "I send you my warmest congratulations on your remarkable and historic achievement."

F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone, meanwhile, defended Hamilton against critics who accuse him of arrogance.

"Hamilton is a young man doing his best and I get upset with people who say he is ... arrogant ... and all this nonsense," Ecclestone told The Times. "Lewis has achieved an awful lot and it would be bloody difficult for any of us to be the same as him. And yet there are so many people out there that want him to lose so he has to make sure he delivers."

Ecclestone said Hamilton seems to attract the same sort of hostility once reserved for seven-time champion Michael Schumacher.

"I think he comes over as a bit overconfident but don't forget they said the same thing about Michael," he said. "I am sure he will grow into the position he has achieved. It just takes time. He has to be careful what he says and how he presents himself, otherwise there are no fears."

From: www.iht.com