ABU DHABI — Lewis Hamilton clinched his second drivers' world championship and became the first British multiple champion for 46 years when he won Sunday's season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The 29-year-old Englishman, who took his first title in 2008 with McLaren, won not only the 55-laps race, but also his private duel with Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg, who suffered prolonged problems with his car after making a poor start from pole position. Having started from the prime spot on the grid for the 11th time this year, Rosberg was comprehensively outpaced immediately as Hamilton surged clear to control the race with a well-judged and dominant performance. Hamilton's victory was his 11th of the season and the 33rd of his record-breaking career and secured a record 16th victory of the season for the Mercedes team. Rosberg finished 14th, lapped by Hamilton and bitterly disappointed. As Hamilton roared his delight, “Whoooah world champion, Oh my God, cannot believe it, thanks everyone,” Prince Harry responded on team radio. “Thank you very much Lewis for not letting the British public down, you are a legend.” Hamilton became the fourth British driver to win more than one championship, joining Jackie Stewart, Jim Clark and Graham Hill, the last man to succeed in 1968. Hamilton came home 2.5 seconds clear of second placed Felipe Massa of Williams and his team-mate Valterri Bottas, who was third. Daniel Ricciardo was fourth for Red Bull ahead of Briton Jenson Button in what may be his last race with McLaren, Nico Hulkenberg and his Force India teammate Sergio Perez. Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel finished eighth in his final race with Red Bull, one position ahead of the man he replaces at Ferrari next season, Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen in the second Ferrari. — Agencies
