Mercedes Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain poses at the First Annual Diamond Ball fundraising event at The Vineyard in Beverly Hills, California December 11, 2014. The event benefits the Clara Lionel Foundation (CLF).
Mercedes Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain poses at the First Annual Diamond Ball fundraising event at The Vineyard in Beverly Hills, California December 11, 2014. The event benefits the Clara Lionel Foundation (CLF). Mario Anzuoni

Lewis Hamilton, the 29 year old Formula One driver for Mercedes capped off his brilliant year by winning the coveted BBC Sports Personality of the year 2014. Incidentally he won his second Formula One world championship this year. He defeated Rory Mcllroy by bagging 209,920 or 34% of the 620,932 votes that were cast. Second placer Mcllroy got 123,745 or 20% of the votes whereas third placed Jo Pavey was voted 99,913 or 16% of the time. Hamilton was his humble self and thanked everyone for voting for him.

"I want to say a huge thank you to all the people who called in, I really wasn't expecting it. I am so speechless. I am so proud and honoured to be among such great sporting talent", he said to express his gratitude.

The other winners of the night were the Irishman Paul McGinley who won the coach of the year award for coaching the European golf team towards their Ryder Cup victory. The team of the year award went to the English women's rugby team who beat Canada 21-9 to win the World Cup for the first time since 1994. Cristiano Ronaldo was awarded the Overseas sports personality of the year for his stellar performance for Real Madrid this season.

Claudia Fragapane won the young sports personality of the year for her four gold medal winning performance in gymnastics at the Commonwealth Games this year, Sir Chris Hoy, the record-breaking cyclist, was the lifetime achieve award winner while the Helen Rollason Award was given to The Invictus Games competitors. The sport's unsung hero award went to Jill Stidever for spending about 60 years teaching thousands of children with special needs.

Lewis Hamilton became the fifth person associated with motor sports to win this award. The previous winners were Damon Hill in 1994 and 1996, Nigel Mansell in 1986 and 1992, Sir Jackie Steward in 1973 and Sterling Moss in 1961.

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