Lewis Hamilton Wins 2014 BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award

Formula 1 superstar and 2014 World Champion Lewis Hamilton was voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year in a somewhat surprising result, edging golfer Rory McIlroy and long-distance runner Jo Pavey on Sunday night.    

BBC Sport shared the result:

The 29-year-old from Hertfordshire won his second world title in 2014 after a season-long battle with Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg. Hamilton lost ground early on the German before going on a fantastic run in the midway point of the campaign, finishing the season with 384 points.

As reported by The Guardian's Daniel Harris, Hamilton was rather taken aback when receiving the honour: "I am so speechless. I feel so proud to carry the union jack."

Hamilton was one of the big favourites for this year's award after a phenomenal season, although most pundits seemed to believe McIlroy would come out on top after winning two majors.

BBC Sport's Ben Smith thinks the golfer may have been just as shocked as some of the viewers:

There's no denying Hamilton is fully deserving of the honour, however. The Formula 1 star was clearly not too concerned ahead of the event, as he was accompanied by his dog Roscoe. According to BBC Sport's James Pearce, Roscoe wasn't allowed to enter the studio:

Hamilton and McIlroy headlined a field of 10 contenders who all had marvelous years, underlining what a fantastic campaign it has been for British sports. But only one can take home the trophy in the end, and in Hamilton, the BBC viewers have undoubtedly picked a worthy recipient.