ABU DHABI // After 19 hotly contested races and 5,714 kilometres of grand prix racing, the 2014 Formula One world championship title was effectively decided on Sunday night by a 100-metre sprint from the start line to the first corner at Yas Marina Circuit.
Lewis Hamilton was crowned a two-time world champion under the floodlights in Abu Dhabi and on taking the chequered flag the British driver was congratulated over his team radio by a member of his country’s royal family.
“Thanks for not letting the British public down and not making the British public sweat,” Prince Harry said. “You are an absolute legend. Well done, mate.”
At any other venue on any other day, such a message may have seemed surreal.
[ Click here to see a photo gallery from the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix ]
Hamilton, surrounded by stands filled with Union Jacks and fireworks exploding above the glittering Yas Viceroy Hotel, instead showed few signs of deference, screaming, “Wooohooooo, world champion. Oh my God, I can’t believe it.”
As calm and composed as Hamilton had appeared until that moment, it was the aggressive manner in which he ensured his destiny would remain in his own hands that proved pivotal.
At the start of the race, as the red lights went out, the 2008 world champion immediately dropped a heavy right foot to leap off the line and pass teammate and title rival Nico Rosberg, who had started the season finale from pole position.
“The car was like a rocket,” Hamilton said. “Probably the best start I’ve ever had.”
The 29-year-old former McLaren driver had begun the day with a 17-point lead in the standings and knew he needed only to finish second to secure the title.
Yet his explosive, assertive start ensured any concerns he held about being slowed down by Rosberg and resultantly passed by a Williams could be forgotten.
“This is the greatest day of my life,” said Hamilton, who was surprised yesterday morning by his family who flew in especially for the title decider.
“It’s beautiful to have all my family around me: 2008 was a special time in my life, but this is way, way above that. It’s just incredible.”
By the end of the first lap, Hamilton held a 1.2 second lead and extended it to 1.6 within three laps of the 5.5-kilometre circuit.
Rosberg found his rhythm eventually to slowly eat away at his teammate’s advantage, but a mistake on Lap 23 saw him lock his brakes and his car soon started to lose power when its energy recovery system failed. He finished 14th.
[ Read more: Williams drivers Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas end F1 season on high note ]
Having been told to retire the car with only a few laps left, Rosberg asked if he could complete the race and end his season on track rather than in the team garage. His team agreed.
When Paddy Lowe, Mercedes’ executive director, passed on commiserations over the radio after the race, he was met with silence as Rosberg reflected on what might have been.
“I still believed for a long time,” Rosberg said. “There was always the possibility that Lewis would get something wrong with his car.
“I never give up and always push and that’s why I wanted to finish. It’s been an intense battle, but a great battle. I race for battles like that. Lewis has been the best and it has been a great challenge. Most of the time it has been extremely enjoyable.”
Rosberg and Hamilton are childhood friends and raced together throughout their careers, but their relationship deteriorated during a thrilling but emotional season as they fought for the same goal.
The German showed great humility and grace last night to immediately seek out Hamilton and congratulate him.
“It’s been so intense all year long,” Hamilton said. “There have been good moments and bad moments. Without a doubt we have a friendship or relationship that we built a long time ago and that will always be there.
“He was a very fierce competitor and did an exceptional job all season. He came up to me after and said I drove really well. It must have been very tough for him because I know what it is like to lose a championship.”
Hamilton, who took the championship lead in September and never relinquished his grip, was a worthy winner, with 11 wins from 19 races.
He said he had no idea how he would celebrate in Abu Dhabi, but given Mercedes scheduled a news conference for early today there may be a bleary eyed champion in attendance.
gmeenaghan@thenational.ae
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