Hamilton wins Laureus World Breakthrough of Year award

Lewis Hamilton won the Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year award for 2008 here on Monday.

The 22-year-old British driver, in what was his rookie season, led the Formula One championship for much of the way and only lost out to Kimi Raikkonen in the closing Brazil Grand Prix.

He won four Grands Prix, the most ever in a debut season.

List of Laureus Award Winners

Sportsman of the Year

Roger Federer, Switzerland, tennis

Sportswoman of the Year

Justine Henin, Belgium, tennis

Team of the Year

South Africa, rugby union

Comeback of the Year

Paula Radcliffe, Britain, athletics

Breakthrough of the Year

Lewis Hamilton, Britain, auto racing

Action Sportsperson of the Year

Shaun White, United States, skateboarding

Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability

Esther Vergeer, Netherlands, wheelchair tennis