Lewis Hamilton has been voted the BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2014.

The Mercedes driver won his second Formula 1 world title this season and joined an exclusive club by becoming the fourth Briton to win the drivers' championship at least twice.

Northern Irish golfer Rory McIlroy was runner-up, with athlete Jo Pavey third.

"I was sitting there saying Rory's going to have it," said Hamilton, who earned 34% of the vote. "I thought it had to be someone else."

The Englishman won 209,920 of the 620,932 votes cast, with McIlroy getting 123,745 (20%) and Pavey 99,913 (16%).

"I want to say a huge thank you to all the people who called in, I really wasn't expecting it," he added.

"I am so speechless. I'm so proud and honoured to be among such great sporting talent."