Lewis Hamilton's title celebrations marred after Mercedes team employee dies
Lewis Hamilton sealed a sixth world drivers' title at the recently-concluded United States Grand Prix. The Mercedes driver finished second in the race to pocket another championship. However, his title celebrations have been marred by the death of a Mercedes team employee. The 29-year-old Mercedes team member met with a fatal car accident. Here are the details.
F1: Mercedes confirm death of a team member
"We can sadly confirm that a team member lost his life in a road traffic accident when returning home on the evening of Monday, October 14. The team is in contact with the family and supporting them at this difficult time," a Mercedes spokesperson said.
Northamptonshire Police on the death of Mercedes F1 employee
Meanwhile, Northamptonshire Police said: "Just after midnight on Tuesday, October 15, a White Mercedes 300 AMG travelling in the direction of Farthinghoe left the carriageway, for reasons yet unknown, mounted the grass verge and collided with a tree." "As a result of the collision, the driver, a 29-year-old man, died at the scene," it added.
It's just overwhelming, says Hamilton after winning the title
Hamilton's sixth title moved him clear of legendary Juan Manuel Fangio. "It's just overwhelming," he said. "It was such a tough race. Yesterday was a tough day. I really just wanted recover and deliver the one-two. I didn't think the one-stop was going to be possible. I am filled with so much emotion. It is an honor to be up there with those greats."
Hamilton dominated the circuit in 2019
Earlier, the Briton secured the championship with 10 victories out of the 19 races held so far this season.There are two more races remaining in Brazil and Abu Dhabi. Hamilton has 381 points this season. Valtteri Bottas, who won the US GP, is second (314).
Big moment for champion Hamilton
Hamilton one title short of legend Michael Schumacher
Hamilton is one behind record-holder Michael Schumacher (7) in terms of total championships won. The manner in which Hamilton has bossed F1 for a while now, he could go on to equal the German legend in 2020. Meanwhile, he is just eight victories shy of equaling the German's win record of 91, too. Hamilton feels his extraordinary feat has come at a cost.
Each and every single one of us is struggling: Hamilton
"Every year you go through a different roller-coaster ride of emotions," he said. "Each and every single one of us is struggling with something in life. I try to show people that, from the outside, things always look great but it's not always the case."
