Lewis Hamilton has pledged the rest of his career to McLaren after becoming the youngest ever Formula One world champion.
Speaking at a homecoming event at the team's headquarters in Woking today, Hamilton told McLaren's staff he will never drive for anyone else.
"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?" the 23-year-old said.
"The day I get in the car and don't have the motivation, maybe that's the time to get out but I want to see my career out with this team."
Messages of congratulations have been flooding in since Hamilton clinched the championship with fifth place in Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix.
"I haven't had the time to check out all the messages on my mobile phone," added Hamilton, who also received 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 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 the previous year.
"Last season I didn't plan out the whole year so at the end I was really spent," he added.
"I've got loads of energy now and I think that comes from everybody giving me their support to keep my head up.
"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.
"We lost the championship last year by one point. I don't regret that because it's part of the learning process. Come this year and all the tough times we've had and all the hard work we've done, it makes it all the sweeter.
"I've never arrived at a track and said I'm the only one here. We've always arrived determined to do well and we're just proud to have achieved something that we set out to do from the beginning.
"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.
"I don't sit here and say to myself I want to be an inspiration for one particular generation. The great thing about it is that it opens doors up to all groups.
Hamilton sped round the lake at McLaren's high-tech HQ today before receiving a standing ovation as he stood behind his array of trophies in the foyer.
"The biggest challenge was keeping it out of the lake," he joked. "I had to hold myself back and didn't even leave any tyre marks on the road."
Looking ahead to the challenge of retaining his crown, Hamilton added: "That's quite simple - avoid penalties and avoid mistakes.
"We have a tough job on our hands as a team next year with all the new rules and regulations and everyone is working flat out right now.
"We want to make sure that we come out on top again and, for my part, I want to be even better. I'm even more determined having had a taste of it."
But despite becoming a British sporting icon, he has no intention of moving back 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.
TheStig
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