Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton at one stage fell 25 points adrift of Sebastian Vettel in the Formula One title race but turned the championship battle on its head following a scintillating run of form.
Here are five pivotal moments from Hamilton's title-winning campaign:
VETTEL LOSES HIS COOL IN BAKU
The race of the season. Vettel banged wheels with Hamilton after he believed the Briton had brake-tested him during a safety car period. Vettel was hit with a stop-and-go penalty but Hamilton was robbed of victory after his headrest came loose and he was forced into a pit stop. To make matters worse, Vettel finished one spot ahead of Hamilton in fourth. Vettel was hauled in front of the FIA but escaped further punishment.
HAMILTON SAVOURS BRITISH HOME COMFORTS
Hamilton headed to the British Grand Prix under pressure after he mysteriously dodged a promotional event in London to take a two-day break to the Greek island of Mykonos. Hamilton, however, claimed pole position before storming to glory. Vettel suffered a puncture with just two laps left, which dropped him to seventh and afforded Hamilton the chance to move to within one point of the German in the championship race.
HAMILTON CRUSHES VETTEL IN FERRARI'S BACKYARD
Hamilton delivered one of the finest qualifying performances of his career at a rain-soaked Monza. Hamilton secured pole position by posting a stunning lap in the torrid conditions to finish 1.1 seconds clear of his next competitor and more than two seconds ahead of Valtteri Bottas in identical Mercedes machinery. Hamilton's pole, the 69th of his career, which also moved him ahead of Michael Schumacher in the all-time list, paved the way for him to complete a dominant win and move to the summit of the championship for the first time this season.
VETTEL'S SINGAPORE CRASH CLEARS WAY FOR HAMILTON
The Marina Bay Street circuit has been tough for Hamilton's Mercedes team and after qualifying only fifth, Hamilton looked destined to lose his title lead. But Vettel, who started at pole, was too aggressive off the start line and in attempting to block Max Verstappen he caused a collision with the Dutchman and his Ferrari teammate, Kimi Raikkonen. Hamilton roared to a shock victory but Vettel left Singapore with no points.
ANOTHER DNF LEAVES HAMILTON ON BRINK OF GLORY
Vettel's championship ambitions suffered another dent in Malaysia after he was forced to start from last following an engine failure in qualifying. Vettel recovered to finish fourth but he still lost ground to Hamilton, who headed to the next round in Japan with a 34-point lead. Vettel started the Suzuka race alongside his rival on the front row but his grand prix lasted only a matter of laps following a spark plug failure. Hamilton won to establish a 59-point lead with just a century of points to play for. He could not quite complete the job at the US Grand Prix but sealed the title in Mexico.
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