Hamilton wins 2008 F1 championship

11-03-2008 | AP

The British driver accumulated enough points after coming in fifth place

Panama Star SAO PAULO. Lewis Hamilton was crowned Formula One champion after finishing fifth in the Brazil Grand Prix here on Sunday.

The McLaren driver became the youngest ever champion in Formula One history and the first Briton to take the title since Damon Hill in 1996.

He pipped Felipe Massa to the title by one point after Massa won the season-ending race in front of his home fans at the Interlagos cricuit.

"It's amazing, I can't get my breath back," he said before his father Anthony ushered him away.

Hamilton senior had earlier told ITV television: "What can I say. I can't say anymore. I really can't find any words.

"It's absolutely great and that's a shame that the crowd are doing this (booing). They should be sportsmen. We have the championship and let's look forward to the next one."

The British driver achieved his goal, after an exciting year which was full of ups and downs for his team. From the beginning many commentators said that he has a natural talent that it was going to surprise his opponents in Formula 1.