Lewis Hamilton: Formula One World Champion
Lewis Hamilton and his father Anthony celebrate the drivers' title
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Monday, 03, Nov 2008 01:41
Congratulations to new formula one world champion Lewis Hamilton, who was crowned the youngest-ever winner of the most coveted prize in motorsport at Interlagos, Sao Paulo on Sunday November 2nd 2008.
Here is inthenews.co.uk's photographic tribute, reliving the memories of a momentous day in the life of 23-year-old Lewis Hamilton.
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Title rivals Felipe Massa and Lewis Hamilton share a brief word as the drivers lineup for their pre-race group photo at Interlagos. |
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A cordial handshake is exchanged before hostilities commence on the track. |
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Hamilton's McLaren is ushered onto the grid in Brazil as tension mounts ahead of the big race. |
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The Briton adopts a conservative race strategy by staying out of trouble early on, leaving Massa to streak away at the front unchallenged. |
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Inclement weather causes the race to be dominated by tyre gambles and pit-stops as Hamilton and the rest of the field are forced to change from intermediates to slicks midway through the race. |
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The middle round of stops do not work out well for Hamilton, though, as he gets stuck in sixth behind the Force India of Giancarlo Fisichella. Only a bold overtaking move puts him back into that vital fifth position. |
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More bad weather ensures a tense finale as Hamilton fights off Sebastian Vettel's Toro Rosso to hold onto the fifth spot that will make him world champion. |
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Disaster strikes as the Briton is passed by Vettel with two laps left - and only a last-gasp overtaking move on Timo Glock's Toyota ensures he is the fifth man to take the chequered flag. |
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There is no sign of celebration from inside the McLaren until after the end of the start-finish straight when the team radio Hamilton to tell him he is the world champion. |
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A jittery Hamilton stumbles out of his cockpit to be congratulated by Glock, who is booed by an unsporting Brazilian crowd in Sao Paulo. |
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Hamilton makes his way across the to team in the paddock and is mobbed, as younger brother Nicholas looks on in the background. |
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A shell-shocked world champion is led away from the media hordes by father Anthony Hamilton. |
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But there is still time for a quick photo opportunity as Lewis Hamilton drapes a Union Jack flag around his shoulders on his way out of the weighing-in room. |
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At last there is time to crack a smile and give a thumbs up to the watching public as father and son take a well-earned drink and recover from the excitement. |
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And another great photo op follows as Hamilton Jnr and Snr show what number will be on the front of the 23-year-old's McLaren in the 2009 season. |
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After cooling down and changing out of his overalls, Lewis Hamilton begins to unwind with his McLaren team-mates. |
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The obligatory group photo shows just how many individuals it takes to make a Formula One world champion as Lewis Hamilton continues to be the centre of attention at the front. |
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And finally, a message from home as the McLaren factory in Woking sends a message of good will and congratulations to its driver - the youngest world champion of all time and the first Briton to win the drivers' crown since Damon Hill in 1996. |
And there ends a wonderful, action-packed, controversial and simply outstanding Formula One season for 2008.
Here's to more of the same in 2009, and once again congratulations to Lewis Hamilton - World Champion.
Alistair Potter