King Lewis the First!

The McLaren sensation, starting only his sixth race, won from pole position to establish an outright lead in the championship and continue his meteoric rise through the sport.

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Hamilton, 22, from the Hertfordshire village of Tewin, produced a faultless performance in front of a cheering 150,000-strong sell-out crowd before emotionally saluting his father Anthony, who has devoted himself to his son's career since he was a boy karter.

Hamilton said: "I have to dedicate this win to my dad. Without him this wouldn't have been possible. I could see him from the podium and I think I saw him wipe a tear away. He has done so much to support me and I know how proud he will be."

Anthony Hamilton said: "This is a wonderful moment for the whole family. We are thrilled by what he's achieved, but I knew he would. To hear the National Anthem playing for Lewis was fabulous."

Hamilton, who holds an eightpoint lead over his team-mate and reigning double world champion Fernando Alonso, has finished on the podium in every race since making his debut in Melbourne in March.

"This is history," added Hamilton, the first black driver to win a Formula One race. "I'm on a different planet and it's difficult to grasp everything. To come here to Canada for the first time and win is fantastic. It's been a fantastic season already. I have been ready for quite some time for the win, but it's just been a case of when and where.

"I was just counting the last few laps down. I could see the board. I am the kind of guy to push until the end but if you make one mistake you are on the marbles and in the wall. So I just wanted to enjoy it."

An incident-filled race saw BMW's PoIish driver Robert Kubica break a leg in an horrific accident, while Ferrari's title contender Felipe Massa and Renault's Giancarlo Fisichella were disqualified for leaving the pits under a red light. The safety car was used four times.

Hamilton, a friend of Kubica's since karting, said: "I hope Robert is OK. I send my regards to his family."

Hamilton's win was cheered by the packed grandstands but the atmosphere was nothing compared to how Silverstone will be on July 8 for the British Grand Prix.

The scene is sure to echo Mansell mania, which saw fans flood the track in 1992.

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LEWIS HAMILTON'S SEASON TO DATE

Mar 18: Australian Grand Prix (Melbourne)- Qual: 4; Pos: 3; Pts: 6

Apr 8: Malaysian Grand Prix (Sepang) - Qual: 4; Pos: 2; Pts: 14

Apr 15: Bahrain Grand Prix (Manama) - Qual: 2; Pos: 2; Pts: 22

May 13: Spanish Grand Prix (Barcelona) - Qual: 4; Pos: 2; Pts: 30

May 27: Monaco Grand Prix (Monte Carlo) - Qual: 2; Pos: 2; Pts: 38

Jun 10: Canadian Grand Prix (Montreal) - Qual: 1; Pos 1; Pts: 48