“Oh my God, world champion! I can’t believe it!”
A season that started with unknowns around F1’s new engine regulations ended with jubilant scenes over the airways in Abu Dhabi on November 23, as the team and Lewis celebrated their 2014 World Championship victory.
There was even time for a message from Prince Harry, too.
Ten years on, we break down the key moments from an unforgettable campaign for Lewis and the Silver Arrows – a season that included 11 wins, 16 podiums, and seven pole positions.
The first Qualifying session of the new hybrid F1 era belonged to Lewis, who set a stunning final lap in damp conditions at Albert Park to claim Mercedes’ 10th and his 32nd F1 pole.
Though his race would end on lap two with mechanical issues, the foundations for what was to come had definitely been laid.
The perfect response to the frustrations of Melbourne. Lewis took pole, set the fastest lap and led every tour on his way to victory at Sepang.
It immediately levelled up his win tally with team-mate Nico Rosberg for the season and was his second for the Silver Arrows since Hungary the year before, and all achieved at the home race of the team’s Title and Technical Partner PETRONAS.
“This is my first win in Malaysia and to do it for our PETRONAS family in their home country makes it even more special,” Lewis said afterwards
“It's all down to the team. They have done a fantastic job, and I have to say a huge thank you to everyone here at the track and back at our factories.”
Without doubt one of the most iconic and defining races of the 2014 season. Lewis, Nico, and their Silver Arrow W05s were in a class of their own in Bahrain and put on a show for the millions watching around the world.
Lap after lap Nico would ask the question in the opening sector of the lap, and lap after lap Lewis would have the answer.
A second Mercedes one-two was secured, with both drivers full of adrenaline in appreciation of an epic battle post-race.
“When you're racing your team-mate, the pressure is really intense and we both knew that we had to bring the cars home for the team and for the Championship,” said Lewis.
“All credit to the team for allowing us to race and I hope the fans loved the show that we were able to put on tonight.”
Winning at Silverstone is something Lewis has become very accustomed to over the years, but going into 2014 he had only triumphed once in front of his home crowd in seven attempts.
When he qualified P6 on Saturday, that run looked like extending another year. But a determined drive spurred on by a packed house at the home of British motorsport was enough for the Brit to clinch a fifth win of the season, reducing the gap to Nico in the standings to just four points.
“Winning in front of your home crowd is just the best feeling. I am proud to have done this for them, and for our nearby factories at Brackley and Brixworth,” said Lewis.
A momentous day for Brackley, Brixworth, and Stuttgart, as Lewis and Nico secured the first-ever F1 Constructors’ title for Mercedes-Benz in Russia.
The inaugural visit to Sochi confirmed what many had known for a while at the top of the standings, and left just Lewis and Nico in contention for the Drivers’ title.
Having faced questions about his move to the team before the 2013 season, Lewis’ decision now looked more vindicated than ever before.
“I'm so proud to have contributed to the work of this great team, to get the first Constructors' Championship for Mercedes-Benz is a huge achievement,” he said.
“Massive congratulations to the team back in the UK and Germany, it's history for us.”
After 18 races of back and forth and wheel-to-wheel racing, the 2014 Championship would be decided at sundown in Abu Dhabi.
Nico started on pole, but from the moments the lights went out and Lewis took the lead, there was only ever going to be one world champion.
Lewis’ second title – the team’s first F1 Drivers’ crown since Juan Manuel Fangio in 1955 – was confirmed 55 laps later, sparking wild celebrations in the paddock and a royal seal of approval.
“Lewis, thank you so much for not making the British public sweat, you are an absolute legend, well done mate,” came the call from Prince Harry on the radio.
Despite the incredible success Lewis and the team experienced in 2014, few could have still predicted the story that was written thereafter.
Lewis added post-race: “It's the greatest feeling I've ever had.
“This has been an incredible year, I cannot believe how amazing it has all been - coming to this team, when people said it was the wrong choice, and the steps we took last year and this year is unbelievable.”
Ten years on, Lewis’ 2014 title will perhaps go down as one of his best, the first of six as part of incredibly successful era with Mercedes.