Editor's Picks 2018: The five key moments in Hamilton's title win

As 2018 finally comes to a close, we're looking back at some of the biggest stories of the year and how they were covered at GPFans. We can't ignore Lewis Hamilton winning a fifth world title, of course. Matthew Scott rounded up the five key moments in Hamilton's title win.

Lewis Hamilton is world champion for a fifth time. A fourth-place finish at the Mexican Grand Prix finalised the Mercedes man's surge clear of title rival Sebastian Vettel, with two races of 2018 still to run. Things have not always gone Hamilton's way – think Australia, Austria and Belgium – but enough key moments have fallen in his favour.

AZERBAIJAN GP

Mercedes were on their longest win drought in the V6 Hybrid era (three races!) and Hamilton was without a victory in six grands prix – his worst run since 2016.

Vettel took pole and dominated right up until a safety car seemed to put victory in Valtteri Bottas' hands with Hamilton set for no better than third. Until…

Vettel botched an overtaking move on the safety car restart, ultimately dropping to fourth, and then Bottas shredded a rear tyre on debris, gifting Hamilton a win, the lead of the championship and crucial momentum that was backed up in Spain in the following race.

GERMAN GP

A hydraulic failure in qualifying left Hamilton 14th on the grid, despite his best efforts to push his Mercedes back to the garage.

However, a stunning race unfolded that will likely be this season's signature event as Hamilton charged through the field as rain played havoc at Hockenheim.

With Hamilton breathing down his neck, Vettel slid into the gravel at Sachs Kurve, as Hamilton took one of the very best race wins of his career.

ITALIAN GP

At the height of Ferrari's pace advantage over Mercedes this season, the red cars locked out the front row – but with Kimi Raikkonen ahead of Vettel.

The Ferrari pair battled on lap one, dropping Vettel into the clutches of Hamilton to precipitate a collision which dropped the German through the field.

With Raikkonen isolated, Mercedes played the team game perfectly to get Hamilton into position for a late overtake, breaking Tifosi hearts at Monza.

SINGAPORE GP

The race was unspectacular, as can often be the case at Marina Bay, but the Saturday action was anything but.

Hamilton is already statistically the greatest qualifier in F1 history, but his pole lap here was a reminder that his talents over a single tour of a circuit are truly unparalleled.

Carving three whole seconds off the previous lap record, Hamilton was three tenths quicker than nearest rival Max Verstappen and more than half a second ahead of Vettel – putting him in position to take an easy win on the Singapore streets.

RUSSIAN GP

Not Hamilton's best day – he was outperformed by team-mate Bottas all weekend, but Sochi provided another key moment as Mercedes nailed their colours to the Hamilton mast.

With Bottas taking pole and dominating up front, Hamilton came under fire from Vettel, who briefly got past after fine strategy work from Ferrari.

But the team orders came, enduring Hamilton would earn seven extra points and taking much of the air out of Vettel and Ferrari's fight.