Lewis Hamilton has won the 2014 Formula 1 world championship after a comfortable win in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, becoming the first Briton to win the world championship multiple times for 43 years.
The 2008 champion became only the fourth Briton to win two world titles. He is the first Mercedes champion since Fangio in 1955.
Hamilton, second in qualifying, took the lead at the start and controlled the race, as Mercedes team-mate and title rival Nico Rosberg of Germany - who had a chance of winning the title with double points up for grabs in this race - suffered car trouble and finished 14th.
"This is the greatest day of my life," the 29 year-old said.
"2008 was a great year in my life. The feeling I have now is way, way past that. The greatest feeling ever."
Hamilton moves level with Britons Jim Clark and Graham Hill on two titles, and is one behind Sir Jackie Stewart.
He joins a number of other drivers on two titles, including his great contemporary rival Fernando Alonso. Michael Schumacher is the all-time record holder with seven, while the most successful current driver is Sebastian Vettel on four.
Rosberg, who started on pole, was left struggling by the failure of his hybrid system. With two laps to go, he was told to retire by his engineers at Mercedes but said: "I would like to go to the end."
As Hamilton crossed the line, Prince Harry, attending the race, took to the team radio to say: "Lewis, well done for not making the British public sweat. You are an absolute legend."
Hamilton stood on his car to celebrate after he returned to the pits and then went over to embrace girlfriend Nicole Scherzinger and his family, who had flown in for the race day to support him.
The Englishman's win was his 11th of the season, compared to Rosberg's five, and he finished 67 points clear at the top of the title standings. It was the 33rd win of Hamilton's career, moving him clear of his great rival Fernando Alonso into fifth in the all-time list.
Hamilton's victory means that British drivers have now won the Formula 1 world championship a record 15 times, with their nearest competitors being German drivers, who have won it 11 times (although seven of those were by one driver, Michael Schumacher).
Lewis Hamilton wins world championship in Abu Dhabi
By Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer in Abu Dhabi
BBC Sport
23 November 2014
Hamilton celebrates becoming world champion for the second time. British drivers have now won the Formula 1 world championship a record 15 times
Lewis Hamilton clinched his second drivers' world championship with a comfortable victory in the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The 2008 champion became only the fourth Briton to win two world titles.
Hamilton, second in qualifying, took the lead at the start and controlled the race, as Mercedes team-mate and title rival Nico Rosberg suffered car trouble and finished 14th.
"This is the greatest day of my life," the 29 year-old said.
"2008 was a great year in my life. The feeling I have now is way, way past that. The greatest feeling ever."
Hamilton moves level with Britons Jim Clark and Graham Hill on two titles, and is one behind Sir Jackie Stewart.
He joins a number of other drivers on two titles, including his great contemporary rival Fernando Alonso. Michael Schumacher is the all-time record holder with seven, while the most successful current driver is Sebastian Vettel on four.
Rosberg, who started on pole, was left struggling by the failure of his hybrid system. With two laps to go, he was told to retire by his engineers at Mercedes but said: "I would like to go to the end."
As Hamilton crossed the line, Prince Harry, attending the race, took to the team radio to say: "Lewis, well done for not making the British public sweat. You are an absolute legend."
Hamilton stood on his car to celebrate after he returned to the pits and then went over to embrace girlfriend Nicole Scherzinger and his family, who had flown in for the race day to support him.
World champion: Hamilton on his way to victory in Abu Dhabi today to clinch the title
The Englishman's win was his 11th of the season, compared to Rosberg's five, and he finished 67 points clear at the top of the title standings. It was the 33rd win of Hamilton's career, moving him clear of his great rival Fernando Alonso into fifth in the all-time list.
Rosberg, who entered the race needing to win and hope Hamilton finished lower than second in order to win the title, was never in the position he needed to overhaul his rival.
While Hamilton made a perfect start to the day-night race under the setting sun at the impressive Yas Marina circuit, Rosberg's Mercedes bogged down and the Briton was into the lead well before braking for the first corner.
Hamilton completed the first lap 1.2 seconds in front, and inched clear until he was 2.7 seconds in front by the time he made his first pit stop on lap 10, always giving the impression of being in control.
The gap stayed at about that margin until lap 23, about half-distance, when Rosberg suffered a failure of the energy recovery system on his Mercedes.
From then on, it was a matter of damage limitation for Rosberg, who asked his team to tell him what he needed to do to finish in the top five - the result that would give him the title should Hamilton retire.
Lewis Hamilton shares a kiss with girlfriend Nicole Scherzinger
"How's it looking, to be in the position I need if Lewis has a problem?" Rosberg asked after about 34 laps.
"It's not looking good, Nico," his engineer Tony Ross told him.
"What the hell does that mean?" Rosberg replied plaintively. "What times do I need to do?"
"Just drive flat out," he was told.
But lacking 160bhp for 33 seconds of the lap, Rosberg was helpless as he slipped down the field, battling problems with his brakes, which were put under extra strain as a result of his problems.
Hamilton is only the fourth British driver to win more than one world title
When Rosberg hit trouble, Mercedes put Hamilton's car into conservative settings and the tension he was feeling as he neared his goal became apparent when he said: "Please don't turn up the car - I am comfortable. I can go faster if I need to."
Williams took a shot at beating Hamilton to the race win by putting second-placed Felipe Massa on to super-soft tyres for a short final stint at his final stop with 12 laps to go.
Massa closed to within nine seconds of Hamilton with eight laps to go and kept reducing the gap but Hamilton controlled his pace to ensure he had plenty of margin in hand to keep Massa at bay.
Lewis Hamilton, two-time world champion
Hamilton is Britain's first multiple world champion in 43 years. Jackie Stewart last achieved the feat in 1971 and would win the title for a third and final time in 1973.
Hamilton's six-year wait between titles (2008 to 2014) just falls short of Niki Lauda's record of seven (1977 to 1984). Graham Hill (1962, 1968 ) and Jack Brabham (1960, 1966) also had six-year gaps between title wins.
Jackie Stewart (1969, 1971, 1973), Graham Hill (1962, 1968 ) and Jim Clark (1963, 1965) are Britain's only other multiple F1 world champions.
Hamilton becomes Mercedes' first champion since Juan Manuel Fangio's back-to-back titles for the manufacturer in 1954 and 1955.
Williams took a double podium with Valtteri Bottas taking third, ahead of Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo, who drove brilliantly to take fourth after starting from the pit lane because both Red Bulls were found to be illegal after qualifying.
Jenson Button took fifth for McLaren in what could be the final race of an illustrious career - the team have yet to choose whether Button or team-mate Kevin Magnussen will partner Fernando Alonso, who is moving from Ferrari, in 2015.
The Force India team used an inverted tyre strategy to take a strong sixth and seventh with Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Perez.
Ricciardo's team-mate Sebastian Vettel, who also started from the pit lane, was eighth.
Alonso, in his last race for Ferrari took ninth, ahead of team-mate Kimi Raikkonen and Magnussen.
Hamilton woke up early and said he needed to go for a run to clear his head
As the sun set on the day-night race at the Yas Marina Circuit in UAE, Hamilton's lightning start saw him take the lead early on
Hopes of a tense battle between the Mercedes drivers were dashed as Rosberg hit technical problems early on
Despite the threat of double points, Hamilton still went on to win the race and ended the season 67 points ahead of his team-mate
It was "hammer time" for the Mercedes driver as he flew the British flag whilst doing a lap of honour
Hamilton thanked his engineers for sticking by him throughout his title winning season
A very emotional moment for both the Hamilton and Mercedes families
Non alcoholic champagne was flowing freely on the podium
BBC Sport - Lewis Hamilton wins world championship in Abu Dhabi
The 2008 champion became only the fourth Briton to win two world titles. He is the first Mercedes champion since Fangio in 1955.
Hamilton, second in qualifying, took the lead at the start and controlled the race, as Mercedes team-mate and title rival Nico Rosberg of Germany - who had a chance of winning the title with double points up for grabs in this race - suffered car trouble and finished 14th.
"This is the greatest day of my life," the 29 year-old said.
"2008 was a great year in my life. The feeling I have now is way, way past that. The greatest feeling ever."
Hamilton moves level with Britons Jim Clark and Graham Hill on two titles, and is one behind Sir Jackie Stewart.
He joins a number of other drivers on two titles, including his great contemporary rival Fernando Alonso. Michael Schumacher is the all-time record holder with seven, while the most successful current driver is Sebastian Vettel on four.
Rosberg, who started on pole, was left struggling by the failure of his hybrid system. With two laps to go, he was told to retire by his engineers at Mercedes but said: "I would like to go to the end."
As Hamilton crossed the line, Prince Harry, attending the race, took to the team radio to say: "Lewis, well done for not making the British public sweat. You are an absolute legend."
Hamilton stood on his car to celebrate after he returned to the pits and then went over to embrace girlfriend Nicole Scherzinger and his family, who had flown in for the race day to support him.
The Englishman's win was his 11th of the season, compared to Rosberg's five, and he finished 67 points clear at the top of the title standings. It was the 33rd win of Hamilton's career, moving him clear of his great rival Fernando Alonso into fifth in the all-time list.
Hamilton's victory means that British drivers have now won the Formula 1 world championship a record 15 times, with their nearest competitors being German drivers, who have won it 11 times (although seven of those were by one driver, Michael Schumacher).
Lewis Hamilton wins world championship in Abu Dhabi
By Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer in Abu Dhabi
BBC Sport
23 November 2014
Hamilton celebrates becoming world champion for the second time. British drivers have now won the Formula 1 world championship a record 15 times
Lewis Hamilton clinched his second drivers' world championship with a comfortable victory in the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The 2008 champion became only the fourth Briton to win two world titles.
Hamilton, second in qualifying, took the lead at the start and controlled the race, as Mercedes team-mate and title rival Nico Rosberg suffered car trouble and finished 14th.
"This is the greatest day of my life," the 29 year-old said.
"2008 was a great year in my life. The feeling I have now is way, way past that. The greatest feeling ever."
Hamilton moves level with Britons Jim Clark and Graham Hill on two titles, and is one behind Sir Jackie Stewart.
He joins a number of other drivers on two titles, including his great contemporary rival Fernando Alonso. Michael Schumacher is the all-time record holder with seven, while the most successful current driver is Sebastian Vettel on four.
Rosberg, who started on pole, was left struggling by the failure of his hybrid system. With two laps to go, he was told to retire by his engineers at Mercedes but said: "I would like to go to the end."
As Hamilton crossed the line, Prince Harry, attending the race, took to the team radio to say: "Lewis, well done for not making the British public sweat. You are an absolute legend."
Hamilton stood on his car to celebrate after he returned to the pits and then went over to embrace girlfriend Nicole Scherzinger and his family, who had flown in for the race day to support him.
World champion: Hamilton on his way to victory in Abu Dhabi today to clinch the title
The Englishman's win was his 11th of the season, compared to Rosberg's five, and he finished 67 points clear at the top of the title standings. It was the 33rd win of Hamilton's career, moving him clear of his great rival Fernando Alonso into fifth in the all-time list.
Rosberg, who entered the race needing to win and hope Hamilton finished lower than second in order to win the title, was never in the position he needed to overhaul his rival.
While Hamilton made a perfect start to the day-night race under the setting sun at the impressive Yas Marina circuit, Rosberg's Mercedes bogged down and the Briton was into the lead well before braking for the first corner.
Hamilton completed the first lap 1.2 seconds in front, and inched clear until he was 2.7 seconds in front by the time he made his first pit stop on lap 10, always giving the impression of being in control.
The gap stayed at about that margin until lap 23, about half-distance, when Rosberg suffered a failure of the energy recovery system on his Mercedes.
From then on, it was a matter of damage limitation for Rosberg, who asked his team to tell him what he needed to do to finish in the top five - the result that would give him the title should Hamilton retire.
Lewis Hamilton shares a kiss with girlfriend Nicole Scherzinger
"How's it looking, to be in the position I need if Lewis has a problem?" Rosberg asked after about 34 laps.
"It's not looking good, Nico," his engineer Tony Ross told him.
"What the hell does that mean?" Rosberg replied plaintively. "What times do I need to do?"
"Just drive flat out," he was told.
But lacking 160bhp for 33 seconds of the lap, Rosberg was helpless as he slipped down the field, battling problems with his brakes, which were put under extra strain as a result of his problems.
Hamilton is only the fourth British driver to win more than one world title
When Rosberg hit trouble, Mercedes put Hamilton's car into conservative settings and the tension he was feeling as he neared his goal became apparent when he said: "Please don't turn up the car - I am comfortable. I can go faster if I need to."
Williams took a shot at beating Hamilton to the race win by putting second-placed Felipe Massa on to super-soft tyres for a short final stint at his final stop with 12 laps to go.
Massa closed to within nine seconds of Hamilton with eight laps to go and kept reducing the gap but Hamilton controlled his pace to ensure he had plenty of margin in hand to keep Massa at bay.
Lewis Hamilton, two-time world champion
Hamilton is Britain's first multiple world champion in 43 years. Jackie Stewart last achieved the feat in 1971 and would win the title for a third and final time in 1973.
Hamilton's six-year wait between titles (2008 to 2014) just falls short of Niki Lauda's record of seven (1977 to 1984). Graham Hill (1962, 1968 ) and Jack Brabham (1960, 1966) also had six-year gaps between title wins.
Jackie Stewart (1969, 1971, 1973), Graham Hill (1962, 1968 ) and Jim Clark (1963, 1965) are Britain's only other multiple F1 world champions.
Hamilton becomes Mercedes' first champion since Juan Manuel Fangio's back-to-back titles for the manufacturer in 1954 and 1955.
Williams took a double podium with Valtteri Bottas taking third, ahead of Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo, who drove brilliantly to take fourth after starting from the pit lane because both Red Bulls were found to be illegal after qualifying.
Jenson Button took fifth for McLaren in what could be the final race of an illustrious career - the team have yet to choose whether Button or team-mate Kevin Magnussen will partner Fernando Alonso, who is moving from Ferrari, in 2015.
The Force India team used an inverted tyre strategy to take a strong sixth and seventh with Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Perez.
Ricciardo's team-mate Sebastian Vettel, who also started from the pit lane, was eighth.
Alonso, in his last race for Ferrari took ninth, ahead of team-mate Kimi Raikkonen and Magnussen.
Hamilton woke up early and said he needed to go for a run to clear his head
As the sun set on the day-night race at the Yas Marina Circuit in UAE, Hamilton's lightning start saw him take the lead early on
Hopes of a tense battle between the Mercedes drivers were dashed as Rosberg hit technical problems early on
Despite the threat of double points, Hamilton still went on to win the race and ended the season 67 points ahead of his team-mate
It was "hammer time" for the Mercedes driver as he flew the British flag whilst doing a lap of honour
Hamilton thanked his engineers for sticking by him throughout his title winning season
A very emotional moment for both the Hamilton and Mercedes families
Non alcoholic champagne was flowing freely on the podium
BBC Sport - Lewis Hamilton wins world championship in Abu Dhabi
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