Brown leads tributes to F1 champion
Gordon Brown said the whole country was "thrilled" by Lewis Hamilton's victory in the Formula 1 Championship.
Hamilton clinched the title in the nail-biting final seconds of the Brazilian Grand Prix.
The Prime Minister said: "I, like so many, want to congratulate him on becoming world champion, the youngest world champion in Formula One history.
"The first championship I think of many that he's going to win in years to come. I think the whole country is thrilled by his exceptional talent. I think the whole of Britain are proud of the inspirational Lewis Hamilton and the McLaren team."
And Culture Secretary Andy Burnham paid tribute to Hamilton as an "exceptionally talented and dedicated young man".
He said: "This is a remarkable feat from an exceptionally talented and dedicated young man and a historic day for British motor racing.
"Lewis Hamilton's victory is something everyone in the UK can feel proud of and I am sure he will help to inspire the next generation of sporting champions."
The Motor Sports Association - the governing body of UK motor sport - also paid tribute to Hamilton.
Chief executive Colin Hilton said: "He has demonstrated his extraordinary talent, commitment and determination to become the youngest ever F1 world champion.
"For those of us who have watched his progress and witnessed his development over more than a decade in the UK's junior formulae, his success comes as no surprise...it is fantastic news for the whole of British motor sport."
