HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : PM hails Lewis Hamilton triumph [November 2008]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 3 November 2008.

Gordon Brown has congratulated Lewis Hamilton on his achievement of becoming the youngest ever Formula One world champion.

Speaking from Doha, Qatar on his tour of the Gulf, the PM said that the whole country was “thrilled” by Hamilton’s talent and his “inspirational achievement”.

The PM said:

“I, like so many, want to congratulate [Lewis Hamilton] on becoming world champion.  He is the youngest world champion in Formula One history, the first championship I think of many that he is going to win in the years to come.  I think the whole country is thrilled by his exceptional talent and the whole of Britain is now congratulating him and proud of the inspirational achievement of Lewis and the McLaren team.”

Hamilton placed fifth in yesterday’s Brazilian Grand Prix to take the title by 98 points to rival Felipe Massa’s 97.