Lewis Hamilton wins Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, claims Formula One world title

LEWIS Hamilton of Britain has been crowned the 2014 world drivers’ champion after winning the season-closing Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Lewis Hamilton crosses the finish line during the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix.

LEWIS Hamilton of Britain was crowned the 2014 world drivers’ champion early today after winning the season-closing Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The 29-year-old Briton, who won his first title in 2008, claimed his 11th win of the Formula One season to finish on 384 points.

Williams’ Felipe Massa of Brazil finished second in front of teammate Valtteri Bottas, with Australian Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo fourth ahead of Britain’s Jenson Button.

The title challenge of Nico Rosberg, Hamilton’s Mercedes teammate, petered out when he suffered engine problems with the German trailing in out of the points.

“Woooooaaahh world champion, oh my God, can’t believe it, thanks everyone,” Hamilton exclaimed after taking the chequered flag.

One of the first to congratulate him was Prince Harry, who said from the Mercedes garage: “Well done Lewis, you are a legend.”

Hamilton won the final race of the season from Williams’s Felipe Massa with the second Williams, driven by Valtteri Bottas, third.

Rosberg, who suffered the ignominy of being lapped by Hamilton, came in 14th. He finished second in the drivers’ race on 317 points, with Red Bull’s Ricciardo in third place.

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.

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.

That dream scenario lasted three seconds — the time it took Hamilton to overtake Rosberg, whose race turned into a nightmare.

Brazilian driver Felipe Massa crossed the line in second place ahead of his Williams teammate Valtteri Bottas

AFP/AP