He is now on course to become one of the world’s biggest sports stars alongside the likes of golfer Tiger Woods, tennis player Roger Federer and footballer David Beckham.
Former driving greats have predicted he will go on to win more championships, earning himself hundreds of millions of pounds in wages and sponsorship deals in the process.
Hamilton had to survive a last-ditch scare before dramatically snatching the fifth place he needed in the Brazilian Grand Prix at Sao Paulo’s Interlagos circuit.
Ferrari driver Felipe Massa, racing in his home country, had already taken the chequered flag — and appeared to have bagged the title too after Lewis was overtaken by Germany’s Sebastien Vettel to enter the final lap in sixth place.
But the Brit, cheered on at trackside by his emotional family and Pussycat Doll girlfriend Nicole Scherzinger, battled back into fifth spot by passing rival Timo Glock’s Toyota on the penultimate bend — just a kilometre from the finishing line.
His astonishing feat won him the F1 championship by a single point from Massa — and beat the age record set by his bitter Spanish rival Fernando Alonso, who won at 24 years, 58 days in 2005.
Lewis, born and raised in Hertfordshire, said after the race: “It’s amazing — I need to get my breath back.
“It was one of the hardest races of my life, if not the hardest. But we made it.
“I can forget everything else. I need to rest because my heart is on the edge.
JOY ... Lewis Hamilton's brother Nic with Nicole Scherzinger
JOY ... Lewis Hamilton's brother Nic with Nicole Scherzinger
“I want to shout out to all my supporters at home — I love them all.”
Asked if his title was the first of many, he said: “I hope so.
“I don’t know if my heart could take that final lap in many more seasons.”
After Lewis was informed over the McLaren team radio that he had taken the title, the emotional driver replied: “That was so pretty close.
“You guys have done an amazing job all season. This is for you and my family.”
The victory laid to rest last year’s bitter disappointment, when the driving sensation was in the same position on the last day — but blew his big chance.
The Brit, in only his second F1 season, now banks a £3million bonus for winning the Drivers’ Championship.
His achievement was greeted by boos from some Brazilian fans — but that did not dampen spirits in Lewis’ camp.
Proud dad Anthony, stepmum Linda, younger brother Nic and singer Nicole all showed their delight as they joined in the wild post-race celebrations.
Nicole, 30, said “Lewis is a fantastic driver.” Anthony described the final moments of the race as “absolutely the worst few minutes of my life”.
He added: “This is the culmination of 16 years’ work and we hope it’s inspirational for other families.
CHAMPION ... Lewis Hamilton after win
CHAMPION ... Lewis Hamilton after win
“We had no money when we started out, now we’re on top of the world.”
Lewis’s victory followed a day of sporting disaster for English cricket and rugby.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the country was “thrilled” by the win, while Tory leader David Cameron said: “Lewis is officially a British sporting legend and role model.”
Bookies William Hill named Lewis 4/5 favourite to win the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award.
And a punter pocketed £125,000 after betting on Lewis to win when the star was just 13.
The man, whose son raced go-karts with Lewis, bet £100 at 500/1 for him to win the title before he was 25, plus £50 at 1,500/1 on a double of a Grand Prix victory by the age of 23, and the title.
Lewis, is the first black to win the Formula one championship.
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