12th June, 2012
Lewis Hamilton said he will be in Formula One for years to come if he continues to enjoy the feelings that followed his Canadian Grand Prix triumph.
Hamilton has endured a season of frustration and errors not of his own making but took the chequered flag at Montreal’s Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on Sunday following a pulsating conclusion to the 70-lap race.
It was Hamilton’s third victory in five races in Canada, adding to the Formula One history continually being made as we have now had seven different winners of the opening seven races.
Crucially, Hamilton has reclaimed the lead in the championship, even if only by two points from Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso and three to Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel.
Regardless, it was a day to savour as McLaren made a two-stop strategy work to perfection, despite initial scepticism when Hamilton made his second trip into the pits with 20 laps to go.
“That was one of the most enjoyable races I’ve had until now,” said Hamilton, whose first victory in F1 was in Canada in 2007.
“I was just thinking that to finish at the front, as I did five years ago, would be very, very special for me – and it has been.
“I couldn’t believe it when I crossed the line – a feeling inside like an explosion. It was really just incredible.
“That’s what I love about racing, and if I continue to have this feeling for many, many years, then hopefully I’ll be here for a long, long time.”