Int. Racing Driver: Lewis Hamilton

Hamilton said he was proud of the journey he's made in his career to win the Award for the second time, and this time as Formula One world champion.

The 23-year-old Briton scooped a hat-trick of awards last season and returned to the event this year as the youngest ever F1 world champion after beating Ferrari's Felipe Massa by just a point at the end of a fascinating season of racing.

He was presented with the award by another McLaren legend, 1998 and 1999 world champion Mika Hakkinen and when asked how it felt to be standing on the stage as world champion, rather than as runner-up 12 months ago, Hamilton said: "It's kind of overwhelming.

"To receive an award, any award, is always a major privilege, and holding this one, it reminds me of all the times I've been to the Autosport Awards before, even my first time.

"To see what a journey it's been and see the number of people that have made it possible for me, makes me very proud."

Hamilton's rise to prominence has been the stuff of dreams. After meeting McLaren boss Ron Dennis at the Autosport Awards a decade ago and cheekily telling him "I'd like to race for you one day," he became the youngest driver in history to sign a management deal with an F1 team, and had his career guided by McLaren as he won titles in Formula Renault, F3 and GP2.

In 2007, he put in the best performance by a rookie in the world championship, finishing on the podium on his Grand Prix debut in Australia, and led the standings for most of the season, eventually losing out to Kimi Raikkonen after technical problems struck in Brazil.

After notching up three Autosport Awards - including International Racing Driver - he began the 2008 season even more determined to win the sport's biggest prize.

Five wins brought him to the season finale in Brazil knowing that just a fifth place would be enough to crown him champion. In the end, he had to overtake Timo Glock's Toyota at the final corner of the final lap to achieve his goal, but he did it, to become McLaren's first drivers' champion for 10 years.