Lewis Hamilton takes second F1 title in style

Hamilton held the trophy aloft after bringing his car home, while his team mate Nico Rosberg struggled with mechanical problems

Lewis Hamilton joined the elite ranks of double Formula One world champions on Sunday after a nerve-racking drive to victory in the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

In a floodlit race overshadowed by the ever-present specter of mechanical failure after the Briton's Mercedes team mate Nico Rosberg suffered a loss of power early on, Hamilton raced to his 11th win in 19 races.

The 29-year-old, who took his first title with McLaren in 2008, became Britain's first multiple champion since Jackie Stewart in 1971 and only the country's fourth.

"Lewis, thank you very much for not letting the British public down," Britain's Prince Harry told him over the radio from the pit wall as the chequered flag came down. "You are an absolute legend."

Hamilton, crying tears on the podium as the anthem sounded and his voice cracking in later interviews, performed a slowing down lap with the British flag fluttering from the cockpit.

"World champion. Oh my God, I can't believe it, thanks everyone," he had shouted over the radio before parking up and embracing his father, pop star girlfriend Nicole Scherzinger and family.

The victory was a record 16th of the season for Mercedes.

Rosberg finished 14th after starting on pole position, the much-vaunted 'duel in the desert' becoming a nightmare after dark for the German son of 1982 champion Keke.