Lewis Hamilton: "It was life or death"

November 24, 2014 -- Updated 1459 GMT (2259 HKT)

It's been a nail biting rollercoaster ride but Lewis Hamilton edges out his Mercedes teammate and title rival Nico Rosberg to win the 2014 Formula One World Championship.

HIDE CAPTION

How Hamilton beat Rosberg

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STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Hamilton says it's like winning the title for the first time after topping Duel in the Desert
• Briton insists he never wanted to win the title easily and relished fighting to the last race
• The 29-year-old admits the idea of being a multiple world champion will take time
• It equals the record of six years for the longest wait between a first and second world title

- It is six years since Lewis Hamilton was first crowned world champion but the Briton is treating Sunday's title win in Abu Dhabias though it was his maiden success all over again.

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was billed as the "Duel in the Desert" as the battle between Hamilton and Nico Rosberg for the 2014 drivers' championship went down to the wire.

Instead, it proved a solo march to glory.

"Winning the first world championship was something very, very special, it was obviously my dream as a kid and it was my dream to get this championship, it feels like it was the first time," Hamilton told CNN.

"Maybe because it has been those six years it does feel like it is the first time and you know I am going to enjoy it, I'm going to embrace it with my family and go to the factory and see the guys and really enjoy it."

The six-year gap between Hamilton's twin triumphs equals Graham Hill's previous record wait for a second drivers' title following his first victorious season in 1962.

Hamilton wins Formula One world title

Duel in the Desert

'Abu Double' title showdown

Hamilton is no stranger to championship deciders having been in title contention at the final race of his rookie season in 2007 only to be pipped by Kimi Raikkonen.

The Briton went one better the following year, edging out Felipe Massa on the final lap of the season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix.

In 2010, he arrived in Abu Dhabi with a mathematical chance of winning the world title but came up short.

In contrast, his return to the Yas Marina Circuit at the weekend saw Rosberg finish outside of the points after his car suffered a significantly loss of power.

The German's frustrating race ensured a comfortable 64-point winning margin for Hamilton as a result of the double points on offer at the final race.