Hamilton reveals key to his and Mercedes' success

Reigning Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton has taken the time to praise the Mercedes workers at the factory for the success that the team has had in recent years, as the Brit won his fourth championship with the Silver Arrows in five years.

Ever since Hamilton joined them, Mercedes have been absolutely dominating F1. The one year the now five-time champion didn't win the championship was in 2016, when his teammate Nico Rosberg did it.

That means it's five double championships on the spin now for Mercedes, even though Ferrari put up a good challenge this year, with the Italians leading both championships for the first ten rounds of the season.

At the FIA's Prize Giving gala in Saint-Petersburg, Russia, Hamilton acknowledged the importance of his team when he was honoured for his championship.

"I wouldn't be up here without this incredible team, I'm just really a chink in the chain," Hamilton said when presented with his championship trophy.

"There's so many people in the background who are the unsung heroes. We're the ones who come up here and are seen and receive these great awards, but it couldn't have been done without this great team.

"It's been a real privilege being with Mercedes-Benz the last six years.

"It's crazy to think that it's my 12th season but we've just got to keep pushing, keep trying to raise the bar.

"This does feel incredible. I don't think it's really going to kick in.

"I don't know how it is for the other champions here, but it just feels like a normal day - but of course it's a real privilege to be up here and receive this award."

FIAPrizeGiving - It’s official, the 2018 FIA @f1 World Champion is crowned in Saint Petersburg. Congratulations @lewishamilton! 2018 was the year the Briton took an already stratospheric career to another level, securing his fifth world driver’s titles pic.twitter.com/BQWL8EEOoA

— FIA (@fia) 7 december 2018