The Formula One world champion triumphs over long-time favourite Rory McIlroy in the public vote to win the prize
Agencies
London, December 15
Lewis Hamilton has won the Sports Personality of the Year award, with golfer Rory McIlroy in second and athlete Jo Pavey in third place. Hamilton secured his second Formula One world championship last month after edging a battle with Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg.
The 29-year-old, who has twice finished second in the running for the award, beat long-time favourite McIlroy in the public vote.
Speaking at the Glasgow ceremony, Hamilton told the BBC, "I am so speechless. Firstly I really want to say a huge congratulations to all the champions, I'm so proud and honoured to be among so much British sporting talent.”
"A massive thank you to all the people that called in, I really was not expecting it - because dude (McIlroy), you had such an incredible year. Tonight has been a huge reminder of just how many great sportsmen we have here. I never thought I would be up here standing with the greats. It's just a dream."
Hamilton went on to thank his family and fans for their support, and added: "I hope I can continue to make you proud alongside all these greats. Thank you so much."
McIlroy became the first UK golfer to win back-to-back majors, and then continued his good form by helping Europe win the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles.
He earlier reflected on his remarkable year, saying: "It was a phenomenal year. There are so many people in this room, but the common denominator in people who are the best at what they do is hard work."
Jo Pavey became the oldest-ever female European champion by triumphing in the 10,000 metres in Zurich aged 40 years and 325 days, less than a year after the birth of her second child.
Pavey said, "I used to stress about training but now there are too many other things to think about. Maybe I'm a slow learner, but it was worth waiting for, and I've enjoyed it a lot more."
Sir Chris Hoy, a six-time Olympic champion, received the Lifetime Achievement award.
Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo won the Overseas Sports Personality of the Year prize, while Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley scooped Coach of the Year.
The Team of the Year prize went to the England women's rugby union team, which won the World Cup following three consecutive losses in the final.
HAMILTON BY THE NUMBERS
It has been a phenomenally successful season for Lewis Hamilton who can now proclaim himself to be a double Formula One world champion and winner of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.
Here is a rundown of Hamilton's season in numbers.
209,920 - Number of public votes received in the 2014 BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.
67 - Points ahead of team-mate Nico Rosberg at the end of the season.
11 - Wins this year, making him the most successful non-German driver in one season as Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel both won 13 races in a single campaign.
7 - Fastest laps this season.
7 - Pole positions this year, although he came second to Rosberg who scored 11.
5 - His highest run of successive wins this year. Only Schumacher, Vettel and Alberto Ascari have managed more in one season.
2 - A second world title means Hamilton is now one of 16 drivers to have been champion more than once.
1 - After two second-placed finishes, Hamilton has his first BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.
