Prime Minister leads tributes to champion

"I, like so many, want to congratulate him on becoming world champion," said Mr Brown. "I think the whole country is thrilled by his exceptional talent.

"The first championship I think of many that he's going to win in years to come."

Conservative Party leader David Cameron also complimented the 23-year-old McLaren driver on his dramatic title victory over Ferrari's Felipe Massa.

"Congratulations to Lewis Hamilton who has made everyone in Britain so very proud," he said. "One of the most dramatic races in Formula One history ended with the right man winning the world championship.

"Lewis is not just the youngest ever winner of the championship he is now officially a British sporting legend and a role model for what you can achieve if you follow your dream."

Several legendary British racing icons were also quick to praise Hamilton, who became the ninth driver from the UK to win the title.

Three-times world champion Sir Jackie Stewart said that he believed that Hamilton's success could be the first of many.

"There's no reason why he can't win more," said the Scot. "He's with probably the best racing team in the world.

"He's a lucky boy to be there so early in his career with the team's support, resources and technology behind him. He's a man with exceptional talent.

"I've never seen anything like it in history. It came down to the end a championship at the last corner of the last lap of the last grand prix of the season."

Racing legend Sir Stirling Moss added that Hamilton could now count himself among the greats of Formula One.

"He's a racer," said the greatest driver never to have become a world champion. "When you watch the way he drives, it's exciting because he gets on with it.

"He's a remarkably good driver. I think if you're talking about a man's ability to control a car, use a car, I think he's up there now."

Leading industry figures also offered tributes.

Colin Hilton, chief executive of the Motor Sports Association - governing body of UK motor sport said: "Lewis's performances since his arrival in F1 last year have set the world alight.

"He has demonstrated his extraordinary talent, commitment and determination to become the youngest ever world champion.

"Lewis's championship is fantastic news for the whole of British motor sport. Nearly half of the current F1 drivers learned their trade in the UK's domestic championships and Lewis's success brings further credibility to the UK as the world's best proving ground for young racing drivers."