"Nico put up an incredible fight throughout the year. We said way back in 1997 that it would be amazing if we were fighting for the title one day," Hamilton said. "He just came into the room just now, he was very professional. He said 'Fantastic, you drove really well.'"
As a dejected Rosberg climbed out of his car, Hamilton rushed over to hug his girlfriend Nicole Scherzinger, who was in tears as she gave him a kiss, and Hamilton then jumped up and down with his Mercedes mechanics in a group hug.
Hamilton joins British drivers Graham Hill and Jim Clark with two F1 titles, with only Jackie Stewart ahead of him on three.
