McLaren hail 'special' Hamilton

According to Ryan, who was team manager when Ayrton Senna and Mika Hakkinen both won back-to-back successes at both ends of the 1990, there is a lot more to come from Hamilton.

"This is really special," Ryan told ITV after witnessing Hamilton become the sport's youngest ever title holder. "I've really enjoyed every world championship I have been part of, but this is special. Lewis is fantastic.

"The guys on the team have done just a brilliant job this year, the factory has pushed so hard and it's all come together.

"This is only the beginning I think - the kid is magic. He was so special when he arrived and look what he has done. You couldn't write this. He is going to go a long way."

Hamilton won the championship by taking fifth position from Timo Glock on the final corner of the last lap, and Ryan said he couldn't remember a more dramatic and tense season finale.

"I've never experienced anything like it," he said. "We had it, we lost it for a minute there, and then it all came back in the last corner or two. It was just fantastic.

"It was out of our control, and when we thought it was gone we were just gutted. We thought not again, but, well, he's a bit special isn't he. He just did a great job and I'm speechless."