Blew away rivals 

He lapped his team-mate and only remaining title rival Valtteri Bottas, who finished 14th after a desultory outing, to claim his 10th victory in 14 races of a season delayed by the coronavirus pandemic.

Hamilton came home over half a minute clear of Racing Point's Sergio Perez. Both chose to make only one pit-stop and spent most of the race on a single set of intermediate tyres as their rivals pitted several times to cope with the slippery conditions.

Hamilton's old rival, four-time former champion Sebastian Vettel, finished third ahead of his Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz of McLaren and, after a wild and impulsive afternoon, Max Verstappen in the leading Red Bull.

Alex Albon came home seventh in the second Red Bull ahead of Lando Norris in the second McLaren, Lance Stroll, who had started from his maiden pole position for Racing Point, and Daniel Ricciardo of Renault.

This latest triumph gave Hamilton an unassailable lead over 31-year-old Bottas, with two races in Bahrain and the season-closing Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to come.

Vettel, who grabbed a podium finish on the final lap, was the first man to congratulate Hamilton in the pits, leaning into the Englishman's cockpit to tell him he had made history.

Bottas said: "He deserves it fully - he is the best of all of us this year and he really deserves it so it's great for him.

"So I will have to try to beat him next year."

Tributes flooded in from his fellow drivers and motorsport's president Jean Todt, and from beyond the F1 family.

"Game recognises game. From all of the Bara family, congratulations @LewisHamilton on your 7th @F1 World Championship!" tweeted La Liga giants Barcelona.

Kenya's world marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge added his congratulations, telling Hamilton: "Longevity is equal to experience, this is what inspires the world!"

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said that the team's success had been even more significant coming in a time of the global coronavirus health emergency.

"This year has been very, very special, in difficult circumstances for everyone around the world.

"I hope that we've entertained and that's why coming on top after such a year in such a tough race, it's exceptional."

AFP