Hamilton: 'A very strange feeling' to match Fangio's fifth

Lewis Hamilton was able to clinch his fifth world championship on Sunday, despite only coming fourth in the 2018 Mexican Grand Prix.

It's the second year in succession that Hamilton has won the title in Mexico, but not been on the podium to celebrate his achievement.

A fifth title means that Hamilton has matched the number of titles taken by one of the sport's all-time greats, Juan Manuel Fangio.

“It’s a very strange feeling right now,” Hamilton told the fans packed into the stadium section of the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. "This is so weird!

“I’ve been with Mercedes since I was 13," he pointed out. "So to complete this – when Fangio had done it with Mercedes – it’s an incredible feeling, and very, very surreal at the moment."

• Verstappen wins in Mexico, Hamilton crowned champion

Hamilton admitted that he wished he'd been able to close out the title in a better fashion than he did on Sunday, when tyre degradation saw both Mercedes drivers struggling.

“It was a horrible race," he acknowledged. "I got a great start and really was working my way up. "But then I really don’t know what happened after that!

"We were struggling, both Valtteri and I. I was just trying to hold on and bring the car home," he said. "[The title certainly] wasn’t won here, it was won through a lot of hard work through many races."

Hamilton was quick to praise his team and to thank his family for everything they had done to put him where he was.

"Firstly I want to say a big thank you to all the fans here for making the Mexico Grand Prix as special as it is," he said. "Secondly I want to say a big thank you to my team.

"I'm just so grateful to God today, to my family back home - I love you, thank you for all the support. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for my family, and for all the hard work my Dad did. It’s a very humbling experience.

"My dad truly believed out and out that we had it above all the other drivers when we were younger," Hamilton told Sky Sports F1 later

“I’m just so grateful for everyone who helped me to be here," he continued. "The guys who are here at the garage, the guys back at the factory who have helped me raise the bar and lift this cup. Without them I couldn’t have done it.

“It’s hard to realise it at the moment," he added. "It’s something that of course I dreamed of, but never in a million years did I think I would be standing here today as a five-time world champion. I never knew that was going to happen.

“I honestly feel like I’ve performed my best this year so I’m very, very happy with how it’s gone," he continued. “It’s definitely the best year I feel, and ultimately that’s the goal.

"When I won the championship last year, I was like, ‘How am I going to improve? How can I be fitter? How can I be more focused? How can I manage my time better? How can I just be a better all-round driver?’ Not just in the car but also with the team in the garage with the engineers, back at the factory.

“I’ve tried to be a better son, you know - just in all areas, to be a better friend. I think this year I’ve been able to lift them all up. I’m don't know if that's something that comes with age, but I’m sure experience helps.

"I don't really try to allow myself to get emotional in public, but right now I just feel very, very humbled by the whole experience," he said, admitting that it was taking time for the realisation to sink in.

"I remember when I won a championship in European Formula 3 years ago, and even then it didn't register and I went on to other championships. So I hope that this kicks in soon

"I definitely feel more excitement coming as I think about it more!"

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