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Arsenal fan Lewis Hamilton says he was moved to tears when the Gunners won the Premier League title and predicted they will now go “from strength to strength” after ending their 22-year championship drought.
Hamilton, an Arsenal supporter since childhood, was a 19-year-old F3 driver when they were last champions in 2004 – when Arsene Wenger’s Invincibles went unbeaten in the league season – and is still three years away from making his F1 debut.
The now-41-year-old Ferrari driver posted ‘COYG’ (Come On You Gunners) on his social media after Manchester City’s 1-1 draw with Bournemouth on Tuesday night ensured Arsenal’s title win.
And speaking in Montreal ahead of this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix, seven-time F1 world champion Hamilton said of Arsenal’s victory: “I think, like everybody, (it was) very emotional.
“I was in tears to be honest, because I remember I was five years old and I used to play in Stevenage, in Pietri Way, around the corner football with friends.
“I was the only black kid in the area I was playing with and I remember trying to fit in and they were all supporting different teams – West Ham, Tottenham and Manchester – so I was bouncing between them all when I was four or five depending on who I was with.
“My sister, I remember exactly, I texted her the other day, she was driving me home and she asked me which party I support.
“He then gave me a dead hand, dug into my arm a bit and said: ‘You have to support Arsenal!’ We laughed about it yesterday.”
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Arsenal players celebrate winning the Premier League title!
After finishing as runners-up three times in the Premier League, Arsenal secured this year’s title with a game to spare after Man City’s draw at Bournemouth.
“We had a lot of close moments and it was ‘wow’ to finally get it,” Hamilton added.
“There was a lot of emotion for me, as I’m sure for a lot of people – they are very happy and proud of the team.
“Obviously Arsene was great. I think the direction they’ve gone in the last couple of years has been great so it’s inspired what they’ve done.
“Really, really proud of the team and I think they can go from strength to strength from here and only get stronger.”
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How Arsenal’s players reacted to their Premier League title win took to social media.
Arteta’s side will now aim to add the first Champions League trophy in the club’s history to their season’s trophy haul when they take on Paris Saint-Germain in the final in Budapest on May 30.
“I’m always looking for other leaders who are doing a great job and how they work with the team,” Hamilton added.
“I’m always learning how to be a better colleague, a better team-mate to the people around me. How to get more out of myself but also out of the teams I work with because teamwork really does make dreams work – it’s a real thing.”
Can Hamilton enjoy a strong Canada weekend in Ferrari red?
After celebrating Arsenal’s title success earlier this week, Hamilton will now hope for a strong result of his own with Ferrari as Formula 1 returns to action in Montreal this weekend.
Since finally breaking his podium duck for the Scuderia at the 26th attempt at the second round of the new season in China in March, Hamilton has only finished sixth in each of the two grands prix.
“Hopefully it will be a good weekend,” said Hamilton, a seven-time winner in Montreal.
“There’s a lot to learn from the first race and especially the last race.
“There’s been a tremendous amount of work, which I’m really grateful for. All the teams back at the factory looked at where we were good, where we weren’t so good, and we adjusted processes and procedures.
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41-year-old Lewis Hamilton plans to stay in Formula One for some time to come.
“I’m hoping we’re able to get more out of the car because I think we’re still trying to get the most out of the package we have.
“Then also being realistic about where we currently stand compared to Mercedes, for example. But a lot can happen, so this weekend is about trying to get the most out of the car.”
Where Ferrari stand compared to their three main rivals, Hamilton added: “Mercedes are on top. McLaren looked incredibly strong last race as well, they made a good step, and obviously Red Bull made a huge step, so I think we’re kind of in and around McLaren and Red Bull.
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Jenson Button believes Lewis Hamilton will bring ‘confidence’ to Montreal despite simulator concerns.
“Mercedes had a big upgrade this weekend. Even without an upgrade, they were very fast in the last race and still won the last race, so, our focus will be on ourselves and just trying to optimise.
“For me, I’m really excited to hopefully have a good weekend.”
Sky Sports F1’s Canadian GP schedule
Friday 22nd May
1.55pm: F1 Academy practice
3pm: F2 practice
5pm: Canadian GP Practice One (Session starts at 5.30pm)*
6.55pm: F2 Qualifying*
7.40pm: Team bosses’ press conference*
9pm: Canadian GP Sprint Qualifying (Session starts at 9.30pm)*
10.55pm: F1 Academy Qualifying*
Saturday 23 May
2.40pm: F1 Academy Race 1
4pm: Canadian GP sprint build-up
5pm: Canadian GP Sprint
6.30pm: Ted’s Sprint Notebook
7pm: F2 Sprint*
8.10pm: Canadian GP Qualifying Build Up*
9pm: Canadian GP Qualifying*
11pm: F1 Academy Race 2*
11.45pm: Ted’s Qualifications Notebook*
Sunday 24 May
3.40pm: F1 Academy Race 3
5pm: F2 Feature Race
7.30pm: Canadian GP Build-up: Grand Prix Sunday*
9pm: Canadian Grand Prix*
11am: Canadian GP reaction: Checkered flag*
12am: Ted’s Notebook*
*Also on Sky Sports main events
The Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix and another sprint weekend head to Montreal. Watch F1 live on Sky Sports from this Friday. Stream Sky Sports now – no contract, cancel anytime
