Briton Lewis Hamilton became the youngest man to win the Formula One drivers’ world championship here on Sunday when he finished fifth in a dramatic rain-hit Brazilian Grand Prix only clinching the title on the final lap.Driving with great control, judgement and aided by luck, Hamilton avoided the problems that wrecked his bid to become the first rookie champion last year as he steered his McLaren Mercedes to glory after a tense contest and an extraordinary final lap.
Only on that amazing final lap did Hamilton regain the place he needed when German Timo Glock lost 18 seconds in his Toyota and slipped behind him.
Until then, Hamilton’s title hopes looked to have been washed away in an amazing late rainstorm but they were rescued in the final minute.
As well as being the youngest champion, Hamilton also became the first black Formula One title holder on a stirring afternoon in front of an impassioned 100,000 crowd at the Interlagos circuit.
The race, run in unpredictable wet and dry conditions, was won comprehensively by his nearest rival and local hero Felipe Massa who broke into tears on the victors’ podium.
Hamilton, 23, drove a measured and calculated race to try and avoid trouble in his McLaren Mercedes car as he claimed the title at the end of only his second season.
He allowed Massa in his Ferrari to run away at the front and claim his sixth win this year and the 11th victory of his career.
Massa was followed home by two times champion Spaniard Fernando Alonso of Renault and third placed Ferrari team mate outgoing champion Finn Kimi Raikkonen.
German youngster Sebastien Vettel was fourth for Toro Rosso after passing Hamilton in the final laps and Hamilton fifth, just, after his late recovery when Glock slowed down and finished sixth.
Hamilton’s McLaren team-mate Heikki Kovalainen of Finland came home seventh.
Hamilton’s triumph made him first Briton to take the world title since Damon Hill in 1996 and the first McLaren champion since Finn Mika Hakkinen in 1999. He is Britain’s ninth champion.
The previous youngest champion was two-times champion Spaniard Fernando Alonso of Renault who was 24 years, one month and 27 days old when he won the title in 2005.
Hamilton was 23 years, nine months and 26 days old as he drove to glory on Sunday.
Massa had been hoping to be the first Brazilian champion since Ayrton Senna in 1991.
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