Lewis triumph is bittersweet
LEWIS HAMILTON has revealed he secured a fifth world title only days after the death of his grandfather.
Hamilton stood with his arms outstretched and draped in a Union Jack 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 Michael Schumacher’s record.
But the 33-year-old later said his latest title triumph had been played out against the backdrop of sadness, 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,” said Hamilton. “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 because of his passion for speed and motorbikes.
His death prompted 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 nearly 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,” said Hamilton.
“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 world champion said he would celebrate his latest milestone quietly.
“It is going to sound really boring, but I just feel content and really happy, so I am looking forward to going to sleep,” he said. “I am looking forward to seeing my dogs, Roscoe and Coco, who live in LA.
“I have a lot of friends around me, so I am sure we will come together and embrace this moment.”