Lewis Hamilton is hoping his victory in Abu Dhabi is just the start of his return to the top of Formula One.
The McLaren driver has had, in his own words, his "worst" season ever in F1 this year, winning just two races ahead of Sunday's grand prix at the Yas Marina circuit.
Spending more time in the stewards' offices than he had done on the podium, Hamilton was in desperate need of a strong finish to the Championship.
And it was handed to him on a plate on Sunday when pole-sitter and proverbial race winner Sebastian Vettel retired on the first lap, gifting the lead to Hamilton.
From there the McLaren driver did not put a wheel wrong as he etched out a lead over the chasing Fernando Alonso, winning the race with a comfortable eight-second margin.
"It's my mum's birthday this weekend. It's great to be able to win while she is here," he said.
"I feel fantastic. It's one of my best races. I said that to myself as I slowed down.
"Being able to hold one of best drivers in the world (Alonso) is something that is tough to do. I was looking after tyres and managing the gap. The team did a great job with the stops."
Pressed as to whether his victory means he is back on the right track, the 26-year-old said: "I don't know. It is early days yet but this is definitely a start.
"We have another great race ahead of us in Brazil, so we will focus on that and try to keep the momentum. You know how it goes, anything can happen. I have to keep my focus on it."
The Brit added that he relished the opportunity to manage a grand prix at the front, something he has not done very often this season.
"I think it's very rare for us and me to get the opportunity to maintain a gap and control a race.
"But today I had the pace and was able to put in the laps when Fernando went quicker. And then I was able to pull out when he came in.
"There was a stage where he would close the gap. It seemed as if he would start the stint slower than me but get quicker at the end, but I am very, very happy with how it went."
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