Lewis Hamilton has collected the formula one drivers’ world championship trophy last night at an awards ceremony in Monaco.
Hamilton was presented the trophy by Prince Albert of Monaco, who also presented the Briton with the winning trophy at this year’s Monaco grand prix – one of five races Hamilton won on the way to the title.
The 23-year-old said: “This year has been a very special one in my life – the fulfilment of a dream I’ve had since childhood and an ambition that has taken my family and me on an amazing journey.”
Hamilton has had to wait almost six weeks to get his hands on the silverware following a thrilling conclusion to the 2008 F1 season in Brazil.
It was on November 2 that the 23-year-old clinched his maiden world championship, claiming the title on the penultimate lap of the final race of the season at Interlagos, pipping Ferrari’s Felipe Massa by just a single point.
It was arguably the most dramatic conclusion to a world championship since the inaugural season back in 1950.
The denouement to a campaign that started on Hamilton’s 23rd birthday on January 7 with the launch of the McLaren car that propelled him to glory unfolded in front of 585 specially-invited guests at the FIA Gala Dinner in Monte Carlo.
“The fact that I won the drivers’ world championship on the very last lap of the very last race is something that makes me so proud of our efforts in 2008. We pushed to the limit on every single lap, from Melbourne to Brazil, and it’s that determination and spirit that ultimately won us the world title.
“It’s always very rewarding to receive recognition for all the work you put into the season, and the FIA prize-giving gala here in Monte Carlo is, of course, the fitting venue at which to celebrate all our efforts before we push ahead into 2009.”
Runner-up Felipe Massa, who headed to Monaco fresh from his first test of the winter at Jerez de la Frontera, could not have come closer to winning the championship, and admitted that he was proud of the role he played in a highly competitive season.
“This has been an incredibly closely-contested season, which produced an amazing finale,” he reflected, “When you lose the world title by a single point, having had it in your grasp for a handful of seconds, it would be easy to take it badly, but I prefer to look to the future and to see things in a positive light.
“I won six races and played my part in the team taking the constructors’ championship, which I know is so important for Ferrari. We are already looking to a new season and I will do my utmost to come back here to Monaco next year to claim the prize which today has gone to Lewis.”
| 
|