TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - An ecstatic Lewis Hamilton won the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to confirm his second world title on Sunday, describing it as “the happiest moment of my life”. Hamilton paid tribute to his father, Anthony, girlfriend Nicole Scherzinger and brother Nicholas, who all surprised him by arriving at the last minute to cheer him on.
After dominating the race to win his desert shoot-out with his arch rival and Mercedes team-mate, Nico Rosberg, he secured his 11th victory out of 19 this season, the 33rd victory of his career, as reported by The Guardian.
He became only the fourth British driver (after Jim Clark, Graham Hill and Jackie Stewart) to win more than one title and the first for 43 years. He became the 16th driver overall to become a multiple champion.
Hamilton went into the race with a lead of 17 points. But because double points were available in the final race he knew he had to finish second to win the title if Rosberg won on Sunday. But Rosberg had a miserable afternoon and limped home out of the points in 14th place. He later congratulated Hamilton and said he deserved the title.
Hamilton added: “It feels great but it feels like an out-of-body experience, as though I am watching on and it isn’t really happening. I am so blessed.” After he crossed the line he was first congratulated by Prince Harry who said: “Lewis, thank you very much for not making the British public sweat. You are an absolute legend. Well done mate.” Easily the most moving words came from Hamilton himself. “It has been an incredible year,” he said. “Coming to this team when so many people said it was a wrong choice …”
Hamilton went into the last race of the 2007 and 2008 seasons leading the championship. The first time he lost out by a single point and the following year he won his first title with an overtake on the final corner of the last lap.
THE GUARDIAN | PW
