I gave Vettel plenty of room

20-round season. Hamilton, who carried a Union Flag on his shoulders, eclipsed the mark of three championships he held jointly with Sir Jackie Stewart in the British pantheon. The new champion, who finished ninth after the prang with Vettel in a race won by Max Verstappen for Red Bull, said: ‘It doesn’t feel real. That was not the kind of race I wanted. But I never gave up and that is what is important — what is in my heart. I kept going right to the end. ‘I am grateful for today and I just want to lift it up to my family, to God, and to Mercedes, who have been incredible for the last five years and I am so proud to be a part of the team. ‘I had a good start and I don’t really know what happened in Turn Three. I gave him plenty of room.’ Vettel, who later gave Sky Sports an interview that was interrupted by a warm embrace with Hamilton, said: ‘It is disappointing but not that important. Lewis has done a superb job all year and deserves to win the title. Congratulations to him. It is his day.’