Ross Brawn still part of Mercedes F1 success - Lewis Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton felt compelled to pay tribute to Ross Brawn after Mercedes won its second successive Formula 1 constructors' championship

Ross Brawn still part of Mercedes F1 success - Lewis Hamilton

The triumph was achieved in an unusual manner, with Mercedes only being crowned after Kimi Raikkonen was handed a 30-second time penalty post-race for colliding with Valtteri Bottas on the final lap - dropping the second Ferrari from fifth to eighth.

With the decision announced one hour and fifty minutes after the race, boss Toto Wolff and non-executive chairman Niki Lauda had already left the circuit.

Hamilton, though, said it felt "special to have contributed to the team's success", with former team principal Brawn not far from his thoughts.

Sold a vision by Brawn and Lauda towards the end of 2012 of Mercedes' plans, Hamilton said: "When I spoke with Ross a few years ago I never envisaged we would win back to back titles.

"I remember sitting with Ross and I got such a good feeling when he told me the plans.

"I need to make sure I message him because still today, while we are succeeding, Ross is still a part of it.

"I really didn't know we'd be as dominant this year either as we were last year.

"Naturally when the rules are similar it should be the same, but after being at McLaren and seeing how it went from one year to the next it just shows anything can happen in the sport.

"I felt the guys would do a good job, I just didn't know it was going to be as this good.

"They've done an even better job this year than they did last year, which is just - and I continue to say this - phenomenal."

NO SATISFACTION FOR ROSBERG

As for Rosberg, whose race ended early with a throttle pedal issue that leaves him 73 points behind Hamilton and almost out of the drivers' title race, the German was able to garner little joy from the championship triumph.

Asked by Autosport whether he felt any satisfaction in the team being crowned world champions, he replied: "No, unfortunately not. It's just a strange way.

"I'll get it tomorrow when I see we are celebrating with everybody [at the factories in Brackley and Brixworth], but it's been a strange day.

"I'm obviously well aware it's a massive team effort. Everybody is in it with their heart so much.

"It is still very special to win the constructors', and that's what everybody is working towards.

"It's awesome to be a part of that. I'm a world champion as well, so that's a small positive."

shares
comments

Russian GP: Post-race F1 press conference full transcript

Carlos Sainz Jr felt dizzy early in F1 Russian Grand Prix

How F1's new era has exposed the downside of its most important rule

How F1's new era has exposed the downside of its most important rule

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Jonathan Noble

How F1's new era has exposed the downside of its most important rule How F1's new era has exposed the downside of its most important rule

What next for Mercedes in its quest to get back to the top of F1?

What next for Mercedes in its quest to get back to the top of F1?

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
Alex Kalinauckas

What next for Mercedes in its quest to get back to the top of F1? What next for Mercedes in its quest to get back to the top of F1?

Why Piastri’s F1 homecoming will be a landmark occasion

Why Piastri’s F1 homecoming will be a landmark occasion

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Australian GP
GP Racing

Why Piastri’s F1 homecoming will be a landmark occasion Why Piastri’s F1 homecoming will be a landmark occasion

The recent Australian GP form history that will boost Ferrari in F1 2023

The recent Australian GP form history that will boost Ferrari in F1 2023

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Australian GP
Alex Kalinauckas

The recent Australian GP form history that will boost Ferrari in F1 2023 The recent Australian GP form history that will boost Ferrari in F1 2023

The cycle of F1 upheaval Williams must end to rediscover past glories

The cycle of F1 upheaval Williams must end to rediscover past glories

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
GP Racing

The cycle of F1 upheaval Williams must end to rediscover past glories The cycle of F1 upheaval Williams must end to rediscover past glories

The state of play in F1's technical silly season

The state of play in F1's technical silly season

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Jake Boxall-Legge

The state of play in F1's technical silly season The state of play in F1's technical silly season

Ranking the top 10 pre-war grand prix drivers

Ranking the top 10 pre-war grand prix drivers

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Kevin Turner

Ranking the top 10 pre-war grand prix drivers Ranking the top 10 pre-war grand prix drivers

Why drivers are the least of Ferrari’s F1 worries

Why drivers are the least of Ferrari’s F1 worries

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
GP Racing

Why drivers are the least of Ferrari’s F1 worries Why drivers are the least of Ferrari’s F1 worries