Lewis Hamilton secured a fifth world title only days after the death of his grandfather, but the Briton believes Michael Schumacher is Formula One’s greatest driver of all time.
Hamilton stood with his arms outstretched and draped in a Union Flag in Mexico City on Sunday evening after became just the third driver to have won five titles.
His success this season saw him equal Juan Manuel Fangio’s tally and move to within two titles of Schumacher’s record.
But the 33-year-old later revealed that his latest title triumph had been played out against the backdrop of a family tragedy, with his paternal grandfather, Davidson, having died three days before his coronation.
“This has actually been a really difficult weekend because my grandfather died on Thursday morning,” Hamilton said. “He was the godfather of the family.”
Davidson emigrated from Grenada to west London in 1955, taking up work on the Underground. Before he left the Caribbean island, he was known as the fastest man on two wheels following his passion for speed and motorbikes.
His death provoked Hamilton to pay tribute to his own father, Anthony, who worked four jobs to fund his junior career.
Lewis and Anthony, rarely seen in the F1 paddock these days, are slowly rebuilding their relationship after an acrimonious managerial split almost nine years ago.
“I will always remember and I will never forget the things that he did in order for me to be here today,” Hamilton added.
“I really do aspire to be like him, as a strong black man, as a father, and as a human being for doing what he did in the difficult times.
“All the work that he put in, my grandfather would be so proud, and I am proud to have the Hamilton name up there.”
The Mercedes star He has more pole positions than anybody else, and is 20 victories shy of Schumacher’s record win tally.
At the rate he is going, Hamilton could do the unthinkable and surpass the German by the time his Mercedes deal expires in 2020.
“Michael’s quite far ahead in terms of race wins so you have to say he is still the GOAT (greatest of all time),” the Briton added.
“Fangio is the godfather and always will be, but I feel very honoured to have my name alongside his, that’s for sure.”
Hamilton’s post-championship media briefing on Sunday was briefly interrupted by the fashion designer, Tommy Hilfiger.
In collaboration with the American, Hamilton has launched his new clothing range in all corners of the world, while producing some of the finest drives of his 12-season career.
“Naturally people will have opinions for and against the things that I do,” Hamilton continued. “I don’t do everything perfectly, and I don’t always say the right things, but one thing I do do, is I do me.
“Only I can live my life the way I live it, and it can’t be steered by anyone else. I try to do the right things in order to be at my best.”
Hamilton, awarded an MBE after his maiden championship in 2008, is not entertaining thoughts about another trip to Buckingham Palace.
“A knighthood is really not something that is on my mind,” he said. “I’ve been very fortunate and very grateful to have met the Queen on a couple of occasions.
“When I’m on the podium I look back and see the Union Jack and I’m very proud to raise that flag. I’ll continue to do so, and hopefully try to make more and more Brits proud.”
