Lewis Hamilton
11 wins, 7 poles, and 7 fastest laps. If that isn’t enough, then Lewis Hamilton put Abu Dhabi’s Top Dog award beyond all doubt by winning the title decider in faultless style. You know, just in case.
Hamilton entered the weekend under excruciating pressure, along with a nervous Toto Wolff, Niki Lauda, and every other three-pointed chap in grey, with only a top two finish guaranteed to give him the title. With Nico Rosberg breathing down his neck and the Williams pairing of Valtteri Bottas and Felipe Massa not a million miles away in terms of pace, “Our Lew” knew he had to make it onto the top two steps of the podium to be sure of a second World Title…
…and make it he did. Qualifying saw Lewis make a catalogue of errors compared to Rosberg’s clinical three sessions, as has been the case for most of 2014. However it was when the lights went out when he came to the fore, getting the jump on Nico into Turn One before extending his lead in the opening stint to over three seconds. Truth be told, Rosberg didn’t get close before his car cried enough, a fact he selflessly admitted post-race.
With Rosberg out the picture, Lewis just had to bring the car home, but that didn’t stop him pushing for the win, seemingly reluctant to gift Felipe Massa the victory the Brazilian so desperately craved. He loves getting in on this whole ‘Lewis wins the title on the final race’ malarkey, doesn’t he?
Nonetheless, after one of the most intense title battles in recent memory – the highs of Silverstone, the lows of Spa, and all the hammer time inbetween – he did it. Britain’s fourth double world champion after Graham Hill, Jim Clark, and Sir Jackie Stewart, and a thoroughly deserved one at that, under the lights of Yas Marina.
Well done Lewis, you’re our final Top Dog of 2014!
