Emotional Lewis Hamilton seals Formula One championship with Abu Dhabi win
British driver Lewis Hamilton clinched his second Formula One title in style with victory at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday, with title rival Nico Rosberg drifting out of contention after failing to recover from a poor start.
Hamilton, the 2008 F1 champion, entered the race with a 17-point lead over his Mercedes rival Rosberg, needing only a top-two finish to guarantee the title.
"World champion - I can't believe it! Thank you so much guys," Hamilton screamed over his race radio, before grabbing a Union flag and waving it above his car as his mechanics celebrated wildly.
This is the greatest day of my life and that's due to people around me
He kept his helmet on for several minutes, appearing to wipe away tears, as the emotion of his hard-fought championship win started to sink in.
"This is the greatest day of my life and that's due to people around me," a delighted Hamilton said after the race.
"2008 was special but the feeling I have now is above and beyond. It's the greatest feeling I've ever had. Thanks so much everyone."
Rosberg started from pole position and, with double points on offer, could have taken his first F1 title with a win providing Hamilton finished third.
