LONDON - BRITAIN hailed a new hero on Monday after Lewis Hamilton was crowned the youngest world champion in the history of Formula One and became the first Briton to take the title for 12 years.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the country would be 'thrilled' at the achievements of the 23-year-old, while newspapers praised his progress from a council estate to one of Britain's sporting greats.

'Lewis Hamilton is a true superstar on the world stage. We're proud he's ours,' The Sun said.

The heart-stopping Brazilian Grand Prix where Hamilton's boyhood dreams came true on Sunday, racing into fifth place on the final lap to clinch the title by one point from Felipe Massa, was hailed as a one of the most exciting ever.

'Putting the nation through the emotional wringer in a manner that seems to be peculiarly British... the young man from Stevenage joins the ranks of true British sporting greats,' the Daily Telegraph said.

'It was as good a bit of drama as sport can provide - and to be frank, Hamilton's result owed a lot to luck,' said the Times.

'But it was the culmination of two years of brilliant driving in Formula One, and a short lifetime utterly dedicated to the task he completed yesterday.'

The final moments at the Interlagos circuit offered 'one of the most exciting finales to a race the sport has ever witnessed', the Daily Mail said.

Damon Hill, who was the last Briton to take the title, in 1996, told Sky News that Hamilton's achievement was 'momentous', adding: 'He's been through an incredibly tough test and he's come out shining and at the top of the world.'

The Sun, Britain's biggest selling newspaper, noted the difficulties the mixed-race Hamilton had faced to win the title, not least racial abuse, and said he was a 'once-in-a-generation phenomenon'.

Mr Brown, on a visit to the Gulf region, said: 'I think the whole country is thrilled by his exceptional talent. I think the whole of Britain are proud of the inspirational Lewis Hamilton and the McLaren team.'

Mr David Cameron, the leader of the main opposition Conservatives, also heaped praise on Hamilton, saying: 'He is now officially a British sporting legend and a role model for what you can achieve if you follow your dream.'

Several newspapers speculated on the riches that are likely to follow Hamilton's crowning as F1 champion, with the Financial Times noting that his personality, background, talent and youth made him a 'marketing dream'. -- AFP