Lewis Hamilton Wins Formula 1 World Championship

McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton became the youngest world champion in Formula One history just barely after a thrilling Brazilian Grand Prix. The 23-year-old’s title rival Felipe Massa won the race in his Ferrari but Hamilton took the fifth place he needed at the last corner. A late rain shower looked to have cost Hamilton the title when he dropped to sixth after a stop for wet tires, but he passed Toyota’s Timo Glock as they entered the pit straight. Renault’s Fernando Alonso, the previous youngest champion, was second ahead of Massa’s team-mate Kimi Raikkonen and Toro Rosso’s Sebastian Vettel. Hamilton’s success buries the ghosts of last year, when after a remarkable debut season he let slip a massive lead in the final two races and Raikkonen sneaked in to win the title.

Brazilian Grand Prix result:

1. Felipe Massa (Brz) Ferrari one hour 34 minutes 11.435 seconds
2. Fernando Alonso (Spa) Renault 13.298 seconds behind
3. Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) Ferrari +16.235
4. Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Toro Rosso-Ferrari +38.011
5. Lewis Hamilton (GB) McLaren-Mercedes +38.907
6. Timo Glock (Ger) Toyota +44.368
7. Heikki Kovalainen (Fin) McLaren-Mercedes +55.074
8. Jarno Trulli (Ita) Toyota +1:08.463
9. Mark Webber (Aus) Red Bull-Renault +1:19.666
10. Nick Heidfeld (Ger) BMW Sauber one lap behind