Lewis Hamilton

Lewis: (after being awarded an MBE by the Queen in 2008) It is a massive honour and incredible privilege for me to receive an MBE from Her Majesty The Queen. It is the most amazing culmination to what has been quite a year for me. The support I have received from the UK as a whole has been fantastic and a huge motivation, it is something I am very appreciative of.

Lewis: (after meeting Nelson Mandella) Nelson has meant the world to me. When I met him it was like walking in to see the king - to be in front of God. He was the guy I wanted to meet, so I just couldn't believe it when I was invited to his celebrations. I was just so honoured; I was blown away; I was left speechless. I've never been speechless before.

Lewis: (admitting he wasn't even sure he was champion when he crossed the line at the 2008 Brazilian GP) It was so tough. I was told I had to pass Glock but I didn't know if I was Champion. I was thinking 'shoot, have I done enough?' and the team were silent for a moment but then they told I was Champion in Turn One. It's been such a long journey - all the sacrifices we've made, I'm so thrilled to do this for everyone. It was one of the toughest races of my life.

Lewis: (following the pit lane accident with Kimi Raikkonen that he caused) Obviously I am not happy but they can throw what they want at me, I will come back stronger.

Lewis: (confessing he apologised to Kimi Raikkonen after their race-ending crash during the Canadian GP but refusing to admit he was blatantly to blame for their prang) I don't what happened. I saw Robert and Kimi and didn't want to get involved with them. By the time I saw the red light it was too late. It's unfortunate - I've apologised to Kimi but these things happen.

Lewis: (on his sparkling diamond helmet for the Monaco GP) Bling, bling, I love it! I really like what Steinmetz has done this year, and am looking forward to the Monaco Grand Prix weekend. As some people might know, I am very particular about my helmet, but it looks great and will add some extra sparkle to the event.

Lewis: (on the 'EveryRace campaign' introduced to combat racism in Formula One) I believe that motor sport, like all other sports, is about freedom of expression in the pursuit of competition and excellence. Nothing more, nothing less.

Lewis: Michael [Schumacher] was a phenomenal driver but for me, Ayrton Senna was the greatest ever. If I could get one world championship that would be great; if I could win three, the same number as Ayrton did, that would be a dream. But I want to be the best driver there has ever been.

Lewis: I am going to be fitter, stronger and more experienced, ready to take that next step up and be champion. I have time on my side to win many titles. If I get the opportunity to break Michael's [Schumacher] record then I will go for it.

Lewis: (after receiving the International Racing Driver of the Year and British Competition Driver trophies by Ayrton Senna's sister Viviane) I am a bit speechless. Ayrton played such a big role in my life. Through karting and through other stages of my career, and single seaters, I was always watching his videos and I never imagined how I would get to meet someone close to him. I was disappointed when I missed him [at the Awards] in 1995, a year too late, but I am honoured for you to do this. I am just speechless.

Lewis: (insisting after the 2007 season that he wants to stay with McLaren for life) .I don't know how long I will be in Formula One but the team I am with right now is the only team I want to be with. I know the guys so well and I had a great season. They gave me a great opportunity. I want to win world championships and I want to win it for them. I see my career ending with them. I don't feel there is anywhere else to go. When you are in Formula One there are the top teams and I believe McLaren is a top team, so why would I make a sidestep or a back step to any other team. I want to be the best driver there is today.

Lewis: I have no fear of death, so I don't think about it. I love the adrenalin kick that danger brings. Others get their kicks bungee jumping from tall buildings. I'm very, very competitive. I want to be the best at everything I do. It's not driving - it's everything - it might be playing my guitar, I try to be the best at it as I possibly can.

Lewis: (on his decision to move to Switzerland) I've decided to move to Switzerland. You lose your ability to go to places. You really struggle to live a normal life. It's been a really tough year. I've not been able to spend a lot of time with my friends, my family. You come home and everyone knows you, it makes it so much harder to do normal things. I can't go to the cinema. I go to the bathroom in a petrol station and people come in there for autographs. It's tough but I knew that was going to be the case.

Lewis: I think I have had people during my life I admire rather than have as a hero, because my kind of hero would be someone that has been the best at whatever they decided to do. In Formula One, Ayrton Senna was a massive inspiration to me and would have to be my ultimate hero. Although I didn't think I would ever count Michael Schumacher as a hero, I really do look up to him for what he has achieved and done for the sport. He is definitely one of the greats. Outside of Formula One, my father (Anthony) foremost, then Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King - two great icons who continue to inspire many people, including me.

Lewis: I think I have had people during my life I admire rather than have as a hero, because my kind of hero would be someone that has been the best at whatever they decided to do. In Formula One, Ayrton Senna was a massive inspiration to me and would have to be my ultimate hero. Although I didn't think I would ever count Michael Schumacher as a hero, I really do look up to him for what he has achieved and done for the sport. He is definitely one of the greats. Outside of Formula One, my father (Anthony) foremost, then Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King - two great icons who continue to inspire many people, including me.

Lewis: (on his 2nd place in the 2007 Drivers Championship) Obviously I am pretty disappointed with the result today, having led for so much of the season and then not to win the championship. However I have to put the result into perspective; this is only my first year in Formula 1 and overall it has just been phenomenal. I am still very young and have plenty more years in me to achieve my dream of becoming world champion. I have to thank absolutely everyone in the team for everything they have done for me this year. Without them and all their hard work I wouldn't have even been in this position today.

Lewis: (following his retirement in the 2007 Chinese GP) They say Kimi's ice-cool, like he's flat-lined, but I think my subconscious is pretty much like that. Kimi and Fernando have more experience but I know my character - I'm cool about things and I've bounced back from what happened in China.

Lewis: (after being investigated for erratic driving in the 2007 Japanese GP) I had a good weekend [in Japan], I didn't put a foot wrong [and] I didn't do anything to put anyone else in danger. Now I've come to China and, all of a sudden, I'm going to be punished for something. I just think it's a real shame for the sport. Formula One's supposed to be about hard, fair competition. That's what I've tried to do this year, just be fair. There's been some real strange situations this year where I'm made to look the bad person and, by the looks of it, this weekend be given a penalty. If this is the way it's going to keep going, it's not somewhere I really want to be.

Lewis: (revealing he did not want Fernando Alonso to be his team-mate in 2008) This season has helped reconfirm in my mind where I want to be, where I want to live out my career, and that is here. I'm really happy and comfortable here. So long as they want me, there's no reason to move anywhere else. It's up to the team.They've got to be smart and think about it: I know they've got politics and sponsors and all that sort of stuff, but they've got to do what's right and I'm sure they will. I don't know who else would slip in here, but I'd much rather it were Fernando in a Ferrari and me in a McLaren.

Lewis: (on his relationship with McLaren team-mate Fernando Alonso in 2007) I don't think we can continue as team-mates. I mean, if the team wants to keep him, they keep him, but I'm here to stay as long as they want me. I don't know who else would slip in here, but I'd much rather it were Fernando in a Ferrari and me in a McLaren.

Lewis: I'm not afraid of the Ferraris and I am not afraid of Alonso.

Lewis: (on the British media) I got back from holiday on the Monday and went to the cinema with one of my best friends Geoff and his finance and my friend Mohammed. We came out and they've taken a picture and said I'm dating his girlfriend now. He just laughed about it – but it is just upsetting because it's not me and I'm not living the playboy life.

Lewis: (on the British media) I am on holiday and I got there and I think I was there a day in St Tropez and we went to the beach and of course I had to be aware of the cameras around. And then we got back to the boat, all 13 of us with my boss's family which was great. There was all 13 of us were chucking each other in [the sea] and they [the paparazzi] were taking pictures and making it seem that there was something going on with the boss's daughter. I don't like stirrers. Supposedly I'm dating four different women at the moment. But I am currently not dating or seeing any women and I needed to make that clear.

Lewis: (on the spy drama affecting Ferrari & McLaren in 2007) I've only been with the team for a year but I have known (team boss) Ron (Dennis) for nine years now and this (cheating) is something that Ron would never do. That's why I have such great belief in the team. I do feel they are one of the most honest teams out there. There are always teams trying to bend the rules in some way but I honestly believe we are the most honest. I think we will be fine.

Lewis: (revealing he regrets not being able to test himself against seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher) When I heard that he was retiring, I said: 'Damn, please Michael keep going for another season and we'll have some great races against each other'. I met him last year before the Turkish Grand Prix and I was impressed because I'd heard that he was arrogant and not very nice but he took the time to talk to me and I was really honoured.

Lewis: (ahead of his debut home race - the 2007 British GP) Without a doubt, the Santander British Grand Prix will be the biggest race of the year for me, as it's my debut home race. It is going to be another new experience, I expect the atmosphere will be incredible and I cannot wait to race in front of my home fans. To win at this race would be immense, but we have to be realistic with our expectations. This is one race out of 17 and as with all the grand's prix, I will do my best to win for the fans, but the most important thing for them is to enjoy the whole weekend whatever the result will be.

Lewis: (following his 2007 American GP victory) What a dream! To come into two circuits in North America that I've never driven before and to come into them at such pace and take two wins is fantastic. To see how much work the team has done back home to develop this car, they have done a fantastic job. The guys out here too doing the strategy, it's the perfect team and I'm happy to put the icing on the cake.

Lewis: (responding to comments by Alonso that McLaren favour Lewis) I find it strange he said that because I feel that ever since he joined the team, the team have been extremely motivated to push us both toward winning. Ron and the other guys on the team have been working very hard to make sure we have equal opportunity. It's probably always going to be difficult in a business, but obviously I've got a great relationship with all the guys in the team because I've been with them since I was 13. At the end of the day when Fernando came into the team, they were extremely excited and I feel built a very good relationship with him. So I don't see why he would say that. But I guess because he is Spanish and I am English, he might feel that way, but I don't agree with it personally.

Lewis: (at the age of 9 to Ron Dennis) I'm going to race for you one day... I'm going to race for McLaren.

Lewis: (defending his startline tactics after Jacques Villeneuve accused him of being too aggressive) Jacques deserves to have his opinions about it and I can respect that, but this is racing. If you are cutting across people, being dangerous and possibly taking them out, then I would totally agree. But that has not been the case in any of the races I have seen. It has not been dangerous up until now and I think you can see that it is for the FIA to make the choice.

Lewis: (following his first victory in F1 - the 2007 Canadian GP) It has been a fantastic day for me and my family - this is history. To come here for my first visit to Canada and to win - it has been just a fantastic feeling and this season already we have had six podiums. I felt that I have been ready for this win now for quite some time and for me it was just a matter of when and where. The team gave me the best car and it was great. I had no problems at all during the race. A few Safety Cars were there, but that's all - they made it a little bit boring at some points. But as soon as we got going again, it was exciting again. Yesterday I was over the moon, yes, to get pole. But today, this is definitely on a different planet for me.

Lewis: (on starting the 2007 Canadian GP from pole position - his first in F1) I'm absolutely 100 per cent over the moon to claim my first ever Formula One pole position and at a circuit where I have never been before. I knew it was a good lap and was absolutely flat out. I almost touched the wall at the last corner but, when I came over the line and was told I had pole position, I was so happy. I'm really looking forward to the race tomorrow and whilst Fernando and I are not going to do anything stupid, obviously I want to stay at the front. I now need a little time for everything to sink in and have a nice and relaxing evening. The car, engine and tyres are working beautifully and the team has done such an amazing job. We are working so well together all of us and to have both cars on the front row and leading both championships is a super reward for everybody.

Lewis: (on wearing a diamond-studded helmet in the 2007 Monaco GP) I'm blinged out. I got bling on my helmet, how cool is that!

Lewis: (revealing seven time world champion Michael Schumacher inspired him to do his best) I met Michael last year and he said something to me that I will never forget. I was walking in the paddock in Turkey and he stopped me and said, 'Fantastic race. What you did today was outstanding'. He didn't have to say that to me. Other drivers achieved far less than he did but are much more arrogant. His ambition and dedication impressed me; before his last ever race he was still testing. He always gave 100 per cent, right up to the last second.

Lewis: (after finishing third in his debut F1 GP) I'm absolutely ecstatic – today's result is more than I ever dreamed of achieving on my Grand Prix debut. A big thank you to the team who have worked so hard during the winter to make sure I was as prepared as I possible could be. I made a good start but the BMWs were quick off the line and Kubica managed to get past. There was no room on the inside so I got on the left and managed to out brake both Kubica and Fernando coming into the first corner to take third. The race was intense, and I was working very hard. I made a few mistakes but nothing major and really enjoyed myself. It was great to lead the race for a few laps, but I knew it was only a temporary thing. Fernando got past me at the second pitstop as he was able to stay out a bit longer and I lost some time behind backmarkers. We now have a lot of work ahead of us with the Malaysia test and the rest of the season, but there is no doubt that we can build from what has been achieved today.

Lewis: (after his first outing in practice at the 2007 Australian GP) It was pretty amazing, coming out of the pits and coming out of the garage and going down the pit straight for the first time. I'm living my dream. To learn a circuit when it's wet is pretty tough, especially here with it being a street circuit and there's a lot of white lines around, but it went pretty smoothly. It is a steep learning curve but this is testing, tomorrow is what matters.

Lewis: (contradicting suggestions that his bright yellow helmet pays homage to his childhood hero Ayrton Senna) Dad wanted me to have a bright-coloured helmet because he was so nervous when I was on the track. With yellow, he was able to spot me half a mile away!

Lewis: (ahead of the 2007 season opener in Australia) Taking to the grid Australia is the end of one journey for me and the start of an even bigger one. I have been working incredibly hard towards this moment over the past few months, testing, physical training, working with the engineers at the McLaren Technology Centre and studying the regulations. I feel I have the experience I need and I definitely feel ready to get out there. This year will be a learning curve for me, Albert Park is one of the seven new tracks I'll be racing on, but it is not a huge problem more an exciting challenge. I have always enjoyed street circuits, so it is great to start my career in Formula 1 with Vodafone McLaren Mercedes here.

Lewis: If you want to be the best at whatever career you choose in life, then you have to compete at the very top. Formula One is the pinnacle of motorsport. From the time I started my racing career in cadet karts in 1994 right the way through to Formula Renault, Formula 3 and GP2, I have dedicated my life to achieving my goal of becoming a Formula One world champion. I am now another huge step closer to reaching my ultimate dream.

Lewis: (after being confirmed as a McLaren racer for 2007) It's a dream come true. To be racing in Formula 1 with McLaren has been the ultimate goal for me since I was very young and this opportunity is a fantastic way to end what has been the best year for me. I have grown up with McLaren and Mercedes and wouldn't be where I am today without their continued support and guidance. However I'm aware that this will be a challenge and I know that there will be a lot of attention on me. However the team has told me just to relax, do the best I can and enjoy the opportunity. I will work hard to get good results.

Lewis: (on what motivates him) I am motivated by a desire to be the best at whatever I decide to put my mind too. Once I have decided to take up a challenge, my inner self will not let me give up unless I have achieved my goal. I love motor racing and have done so since I first watched it on TV when I was about five. The key element in all of this is that I am not here to take part, I am here to win, and I will do whatever mentally and physically it takes to achieve that in due course. I do not plan to waste this opportunity.