Hamilton: Mercedes victories provide positive 'knock-on' effect for 2019

Lewis Hamilton believes that his drivers' championship victory and Mercedes' constructors' championship win in 2018 will provide a positive "knock-on" effect for the 2019 Formula 1 season when the Silver Arrows attempt to make it six title wins on the bounce since the start of their winning run in 2014.

This season, Hamilton has been embroiled in a fierce title race with Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari, but after the summer break the Brit improved race-by-race to eventually seal the title with his points finish in Mexico.

The five-time world champion has praised the professionalism of the Mercedes crew throughout the campaign, and reckons their successes in 2018 will only stand them in good stead for what will likely be another competitive F1 season next year.

"We win races, and we've been very fortunate to have a lot of success, but when we win everyone is quite quiet - happy, but quite controlled," Hamilton said.

"This time it was just great to see everyone (celebrate). Everyone was just biting their nails through the year, so it was such an incredible effort from everyone.

It’s an honour to be on this journey with you. You dream the biggest dreams in the sport and work tirelessly, in the most innovative ways to make them real. This is how legends are born. Let’s hold our hands high as five-time Champions! ????????? @MercedesAMGF1 #Champions #HiFive pic.twitter.com/uiPbXF3RMa — Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) November 13, 2018

"It's never been a given, you just have to keep working, keep churning away. That's what we did, kept hopes high and kept our targets very, very high.

"This should, will, have a great end to the year for us but also a great knock-on effect for next year."

With the title already secured, Hamilton will take to the track for the final Grand Prix of the season this weekend in Abu Dhabi.

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