Lewis Hamilton Wins in Abu Dhabi to End the Season on a Record 408 Points

Lewis Hamilton has signed off his fifth championship season in style, winning the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday to finish the year on 408 points. He is the first driver ever to score 400 points in a single season, beating Sebastian Vettel's old record of 397 from 2013.

It was Hamilton's 11th win of the year and the 73rd of his career, from his 11th pole of the season. Mercedes pitted him early under a Virtual Safety Car on lap seven, and he worked his way back to the front as the others stopped. Vettel finished second and Max Verstappen third. The win also made Hamilton the first driver past 3,000 career points, and Will Smith waved the chequered flag.

Afterwards Hamilton, Vettel and the retiring Fernando Alonso did doughnuts side by side on the start-finish straight. Hamilton saved his kindest words for the man he had beaten to the title.

It's been a real honour and a privilege racing against Sebastian [Vettel]. I've known him since the F3 days and he's always been an honest, hard working racing driver and he's always raced his heart out. He did a fantastic job this whole season.

This was Hamilton's first title since switching to an all-plant diet last year. He cut out red meat first, then chicken, then fish, and says he feels "the best I've ever felt physically and mentally". He has also been honest that the diet isn't for everyone, but the numbers this year speak for themselves: the most points of his career and a joint career-best 11 wins.

Last month we reported that Hamilton clinched his fifth title in Mexico, drawing level with Fangio. Since then Daniel Bryan won his fourth WWE Championship and Iceland's Hulda Waage set a 550 kg national powerlifting record.

408 points, powered by plants.