Planet-F1

Hamilton clinches Sporting Oscar

Tuesday 19th February 2008

Lewis Hamilton clinched the 'Breakthrough of the Year' award at Monday night's 2008 Laureus Sports Awards in St Petersburg.

The McLaren driver was honoured for his efforts in last year's F1 World Championship, which saw him finish second behind Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen.

"It's quite a strange feeling being here. I feel a bit overwhelmed," said Hamilton, while his father looked on.

"Looking around (at the nominees) I didn't think I deserved it as much as the others.

"I just hope I can do my country proud and I keep working and achieve all my goals in the future. This year I will approach it with the same determination if not more."

Meanwhile Raikkonen lost out on the 'Sportsman of the Year' award to tennis star Roger Federer while Ferrari were pipped to the ' Team of the Year' accolade by the South African rugby team, who clinched the World Cup.

The winners of the Laureus Awards, which are sports answer to the Oscars, were chosen from a shortlist of six by the Laureus World Sports Academy, made up of former sports stars.