Hamilton Could Rule Formula One for 15 Years, Says Dennis

The McLaren chairman Ron Dennis said today that Lewis Hamilton could be competitive in formula one for another 15 years as the youngest champion in the history of the sport made a lifetime pledge to the team.

"I value loyalty very highly," said Dennis. "Lewis could spend another 15 years in formula one. I don't think age will be the decisive factor, provided he's driving with a smile on his face."

Hamilton looks set to follow the example of Jim Clark, probably Britain's greatest racing driver, who remained with Lotus, the team that groomed him towards his two world titles. Hamilton, visiting the team's Woking headquarters to say thank you to the staff of 1,800, said: "I want to see my career out with this team. It's easy. I'm with the team I've always dreamed of being with and if you have the car of your dreams then why would you want to leave."

He said that messages of congratulations had been flooding in since he clinched the championship with a dramatic fifth place in Sunday's Brazilian grand prix. "I haven't had the time to check out all the messages on my mobile phone," he added.

He had received a more formal congratulations from the Queen who wrote: "I'm delighted that you succeeded in winning the formula one world championship to become the youngest-ever champion. I send you my warmest congratulations on your remarkable and historic achievement."

Hamilton revealed that on Tuesday evening he had taken his girlfriend Nicole Scherzinger for an emotional visit to the council estate in Stevenage where he was brought up. He went back to his old house and school before the pair went to the cinema to watch Quantum of Solace, complete with popcorn. "It wasn't the best of areas," said Hamilton of his childhood home. "The police were often around when I looked out of the windows in those days."

Hamilton thanked his family for their support and his team for maintaining faith after the disappointment of missing out on the title by a single point last year. "Last season I didn't plan out the whole year so at the end I was really spent," he added. "It makes me happy to make other people happy. Everyone has troubles and doubts but it's how you grow as a person and how you grow as a team, that's what builds character and, with all the experiences I've had, I don't have any regrets.

"I was six years old when I said this was what I wanted to do. My dad kept pushing, pushing and pushing to give me the opportunity and without his enthusiasm and the deal that was made we wouldn't have had this."

Hamilton sped round the lake in his championship-winning car at McLaren's headquarters before receiving a standing ovation as he stood behind his array of trophies in the foyer with confetti filling the air. "The biggest challenge was keeping it out of the lake," he joked. "I had to hold myself back and didn't even leave any tire marks on the road."

But despite becoming an international sports celebrity he has no intention of returning from tax exile in Switzerland. "I'm happy where I am. I have a very balanced life and I don't want anything to change," he added.