congratulations to the winner

Predictable outcome? Foregone conclusion? I don't care what the pundits say, it was a fucking tight race in the end. A fitting climax to all the months of dirty tricks, points-scoring and the biased media coverage we've come to expect.

The behaviour of some of the supporters was truly vile, but that aside, I have to say that there was great dignity and - in the end - good sportsmanship all round. Both men were a credit to themselves and their respective teams

It was certainly gripping. I watched it all unfold from my flat in London. Normally the early stages are boring and never a good indication of who's going to win. I only tuned in for the end.

In a way it's baffling how events from across the Atlantic can so dominate the British society, media, newspapers etc. Many people here found it boring and didn't tune in, but some were totally caught up in it all. I even know a women who threw a special big party to coincide with it.

Well it's been a couple of days now since the results came in, the excitement is waning and the dust is settling. Time to sit back and assess it all, I guess.

I feel I must congratulate the winner.

It's fairly well known that I don't like the guy. I find him, smug and elitist and I've never fallen for the hype, but I should give credit where it's due.

He overtook more established rivals and won despite his youth and inexperience. That should be respected, who ever you support.

I know people go on about his race and the fact that he has a white mother and black father etc. Yes I know it's the first time a black guy has ever won.

Black, white or mixed race, everyone faces the same obstacles. Skin colour has nothing to do with ability and it's ability that carries people over the winning line.

Some people see this as the dawning of a new era. I say "let's wait and see".

Regardless of our views, I'm sure we can all agree on one thing -motorsport will never be quite the same again.

That's very magnanimous of you. Are you feeling OK?

Fine. It actually brought a smile to my face. There's a lot of happy people walking around. It's great when things like that can bring us all together.

I never liked the guy before, but now I'm thinking I could grow to. I certainly respect him now.

What does the FBO in your avatar stand for?

Thank you for this.

Thank you for showing your classy side.

At the end of the day - yes, there's a lot of politics - but is it really about that? I don't particularly like the sight of grown men going round and round in circles but I do appreciate the air of optimism this has brought to Britain. It's about time we had a national tonic.

See, that's all we want.

I never knew Americans liked Formula 1, so thanks to everyone for being so nice.

I don't think I've written an article that has been so well received here.

I never thought I'd hear you say that. It gives me hope that others may come to the same place. No one has to agree with anyone, but no progress has ever been made by disrespecting other people or their opinions.

Thanks, Uptight. A lot of us are pretty excited about it.

At the end of the day, it's all a game. One year one rich guy wins, another year another rich guy wins. We stay the same, sit on the bylines enjoying the spectacle of it all.

In that we are united, whichever driver we like.

Jeremy Clarkson called it for Lewis Hamilton during the last Top Gear, so yeah it was a predictable outcome/foregone conclusion.

And NASCAR is just dudes going around in a circle, Formula 1 is actually almost interesting.

wow - that's so nice of you to think of us. It's rare we win anything over here.

OK it's driving me nuts that nobody has responded to the Brit. He's not talking about the election at all, he's talking about a F1 race.

yeah - but it still went to the last but one bend of the very last lap of the very last race.

Clarkson is god. I'm surprised you know him.

nuh?

Of course.

Lewis Hamilton's triumph at he Brazilian Grand Prix.

What race did you think I was talking about?

The one good thing about F1 is it's not NASCAR.

Yeah, realized that just shortly after I posted.

Meh, same old same old.

oh come on - lighten up!

had you there :-)

Your unessecarily vague wording, and specificly the last sentence had me thinking you were talking about an F1 race the entire time.

this thread is beautiful.

D'oh! Told you we're excited. And excitable.

easy, boy!

well-played, UpTight. well-played.