Formula 1 | Big party at Mercedes: Hamilton visits the Brixworth and Brackley bases

With a small event held inside the Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains (HPP) center in Brixworth, United Kingdom, Mercedes celebrated for the fourth time winning the "double", i.e. the drivers' championship with Lewis Hamilton and the constructors' championship . For the Stuttgart team, let's remember, this is the fourth world title in history. In fact, since the hybrid era entered the scene, the Brixworth office has carried out exceptional work on the power unit, managing to create an almost perfect product. The objective will now be to confirm these performances in 2018, the year in which there will be strong competition from Red Bull and Ferrari, continuing an important cycle of victories that has lasted for five years now.

Here are the words of Niki Lauda: “For the fourth time in a row we are in the fortunate position to be able to thank the team. 2017 was a very complex year with this change of rules and the uncertainty resulting from this led to a partial shuffling of the cards.i. We started with a difficult car, but the team was able to constantly improve it throughout the season. This was the key to the championship. The team did a fantastic job and Lewis drove brilliantly. I'm really proud of everyone because this is an incredible achievement. This year has been the most difficult since I have been here and we are convinced that 2018 will be even more difficult. I trust the team and we will try to confirm the good things we have done in this championship."

Here are Toto Wolff's impressions: “Since I was lucky enough to join this team in 2012, I have seen it go from strength to strength. I have seen this group grow, evolving over the years. We were good at choosing the right people, becoming the team we are now. We have a team working in the right spirit at our Brixworth and Brackley locations. Despite the successes we are still hungry for success, maintaining that desire for success that distinguishes this team. I couldn't imagine working with a better group of people. I would like to say thank you very much to all of you."

Lewis Hamilton's thanks to the team: “This is a very emotional day. I didn't expect it, thank you all for the warm welcome. Today is something I will never forget. I will never forget all the people I found walking in front of the main gate of the factory. I'm amazed. This has been an incredible year, an amazing journey we have experienced together. I have deep respect for you and the work you do here. I've been in this sport for a long time now, but seeing the work ethic at Brixworth and Brackley inspires me so much. Every time I come here, I see everyone operating at 100%, which encourages me to give my best performance. Thank you all for helping me make my dreams come true, it wouldn't have been possible without you. It was a difficult year and without a doubt it was the best victory, because we fought against another team that proved to be very strong. We had some technical difficulties, but we managed to get through them together thanks to the strength of the group."

Roberto Valenti