Hamilton issues McLaren thanks

Lewis Hamilton has personally thanked the entire McLaren workforce for helping him become a winner again.

Hamilton addressed the team's staff at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking three days after his victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix.

"This has been an incredibly difficult season for all of us, but Sunday's result is payback for all your time, effort, energy and passion, and I wanted to come here and thank you for that," said Hamilton.

The triumph ended a nine-month, 10-race drought for the world champion whose last success was back in last October's Chinese Grand Prix.

It was also the result of thousands of man hours put into turning an abysmal car over the first half of the season into one capable of taking the chequered flag.

Hamilton had already planned to speak to the team ahead of their enforced two-week summer break that starts on Monday.

But in the wake of the 24-year-old's win at the Hungaroring, his words were especially meaningful.

He added: "At the start of the season, we were barely competitive, but the amount of work that every single one of you put into transforming our fortunes has been incredible.

"I've always said it: Vodafone McLaren Mercedes is a team of winners, and the most amazing thing about this team is its fighting spirit - you never give up.

"So when I get into the car, I know all the effort that has gone into getting us to this point, and it makes me want to push even harder to repay you. Winning on Sunday was our victory."