Winning Isn’t Everything

Interviewer: "Let's start by saying, your words, it was mega. Is that how you would describe what just happened in quali?" Lewis: "I'm just a bit gobsmacked, honestly. I'm a bit taken back by it. Yeah, I didn't know when we would get to this position, and… After last weekend it was a difficult start to the week, and come here with just aggression and wanted to go into the weekend and really get the car into a great place. And I started out straight away with a better feeling in the car, and just I can't believe that we're at the front [laughs] and ahead of like a McLaren, which has been so fast throughout winter testing, and obviously in the last race and even today. But yeah, I'm really grateful just to be up there fighting with these great drivers, and to be so close to these other teams." Interviewer: "Yeah, commentary said new colors, same number." Lewis: "Mmmhm." Interviewer: "How did it feel when you stood up and celebrated with the fans." Lewis: "Well, the crowd's always been amazing here, for me. I've had so much great support every year I've come to China since the really early days, and I've been coming here for many, many years, so I'm really, really grateful. I get to see them. From the moment you land to the moment you leave they're with you throughout the weekend. They ride the ups and downs with you through the year. They travel around to so many of the races through the year, as well. So it's great to see them out on the pit straight. And wow. [beep] My first… Even though it's not the main pole, that gives me real inspiration to go into tomorrow to find more performance and see if we can compete again." Interviewer: "Yeah. Many other drivers were struggling with the tire pressure, particularly turn one, for example. What was the secret out there, Lewis, today?" Lewis: [laughs] "I don't know. I've always gone well at this track. I think it's the Chinese fans. But obviously the weather's been great today, as well. Yeah, it definitely wasn't easy with the tires, but yeah, we got through. I think there's definitely a little bit more performance to find, for sure." Interviewer: "Well, congratulations. Best of luck for tomorrow." Lewis: "Thank you."