British driver Lewis Hamilton has won his second Formula 1 world title after victory in Abu Dhabi.
His nearest rival in the championship, Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg, fell out of contention after failing to recover from a bad start in the final grand prix of the season.
With three laps to go, Hamilton was almost a lap clear of his German rival.
After taking the chequered flag, Hamilton shouted: "Woooooaaahh world champion, oh my God, can't believe it, thanks everyone".
He was soon congratulated by girlfriend Nicole Scherzinger, along with his father Anthony, step-mum Linda and brother Nicolas.
Also watching the race was Prince Harry, who was heard congratulating the driver on team radio: "You are an absolute legend. Well done mate."
Hamilton, 29, is only the fourth Briton to win more than one world title, joining Jim Clark, Graham Hill and Sir Jackie Stewart.
He also won the 2008 title but, speaking after today's win, he said: "I can't really explain how much this means, but it means more than the first one."
He had entered the race with a 17-point lead over Rosberg and only needed to finish in the top two to win this season.
Rosberg had started the race from pole position and needed Hamilton to finish third to allow him to win what would have been his first title.
Brazilian driver Felipe Massa crossed the line in second place ahead of his Williams teammate Valtteri Bottas.
Last night, Rosberg outperformed Hamilton by four tenths of a second on the track at the Yas Marina circuit, to claim his 11th pole of the season.
Off the track, the 29-year-old German said the pressure was on Hamilton, adding: "Lewis has everything to lose, I have everything to gain, so, for sure, the pressure is on him."
With a 17-point lead, and despite the controversial spectre of double points, Hamilton only needed to finish in the top two.
Last night he was confident, saying: "Me, I just keep to myself and do my talking on the track, and I know from my experiences of the past I'm better prepared than I ever have been."
Sky News
No comments:
Post a Comment