Image source, EPA

And that was that. After eight months and 19 races, Lewis Hamilton won the final battle - and thus the war - to clinch his second world title, six years are his first.

Now we've got the winter break before pre-season testing begins in 69 days' time. Forty one days after that, the 2015 season starts and we do it all over again. It'll be here before you know it.

On the weekend of my 50th BBC Formula 1 live text commentary, I want to thank you for your company and contributions throughout the season - you've been awesome and I've had a blast.

Until next year, it's goodnight me from. Bye!

Image source, Getty Images

Suzi Perry says that the team will be filming a review of the season show tomorrow and that'll be on your screens on 27th December. And with that, the final BBC F1 forum of the season draws to a close.

Suzi Perry
BBC F1 presenter

"We know Jules Bianchi is breathing and we send all our love out to him."

Eddie Jordan
BBC F1 chief analyst

"My moment of the year has been re-emergence of Williams. I feared we would lose them but Claire Williams has come in and turned them round. They were ninth last year and are a breath of fresh air. We need more people like them."

Lee McKenzie
BBC F1 pit-lane reporter

"These days don't happen very often. Nico was so gracious after everything he'd gone through. Hopefully in 20 years time they can sit down and have a smile. I was in the Mercedes garage with Nicole and the family and Nico gave them all a hug. They both appreciate what each other has done."

David Coulthard
BBC F1 co-commentator

"There have been so many highs, but the standout moment was that Mercedes team management let drivers race wheel-to-wheel. Formula 1 has been very open to the fans of Formula 1 this season. That is my highlight, up there with Eddie Jordan getting a custard pie in the face."

Ben Edwards
BBC F1 commentator

"I'm exhausted. It's been a brilliant year and I've loved every second of it. It was the right result and Mercedes' year was unlike any other."

Image source, AP

"It's really going to take some time to sink in," adds Lewis Hamilton. "I don't know what I have next week but I hope to see family. At the end of the week we will have seat fitting but I might need a bit of bulking! I don't really drink so will let everyone else get obliterated.

"As a driver you are always conscious of the possibilities of the car failure. It's not something you can prevent. We've had ups and downs and I did not know what was going to happen. But I had so much faith. I knew I could do it. I had faith God would keep it going.

"I had no idea my family and Nicole were coming. I was messaging my dad last night and knew I had to be so selfish and did not want to involve them. But my dad messaged me. I said I wanted them here but either way I knew they would be.

"I did not hear anything Prince Harry said. It was very cool, I'm very grateful. It's unreal, it's incredible."

"It's been an unbelievable year," says Lewis Hamilton, talking to Suzi Perry. "It's phenomenal to be here. There's so much energy in the team. I did not know I could drive like I did today. It's got to be the best start I've ever done. It's what my heart has been yearning for all year."

On joining Mercedes at the start of last season, Hamilton said: "It was a combination of meeting Niki in Singapore but when I met with Ross I understood what the team was for. Ross had a document with plans but Niki sealed the deal. I'm so grateful for those guys."

"It's surreal but it's magic," says Williams deputy team principal Claire Williams, following the team's third-placed finish in the constructors' championship. "But it's been an amazing year. I love my boys and girls. I couldn't be happier.

"Frank will be in hospital thinking 'why are they so excited?'. It's all about winning and we want to do that next year. We want to make progress."

When asked about King Juan Carlos of Spain saying Fernando Alonso had told him he was going to McLaren next year, Alonso said smiling: "What the king says I cannot go against. The king is the king. He is always right."

"This season has not been great," says Sebastian Vettel, who leaves Red Bull after five years to pursue a new era at Ferrari. "I'm not the happiest guy! It's been an incredible journey. You can never inspect four titles in a row. You get to know people in a good way and go through happy and sad days. I have learned a lot and am ready for the next step."

Suzi Perry
BBC F1 presenter

"The look on Lewis' face says it all, it's pure joy."

Allan McNish
BBC Radio 5 live analyst

"Only one driver of the day, Lewis Hamilton, stunning day at the office."

A few Mercedes staff go rogue and crack open a few bottles of champagne to soak the new world champion Lewis Hamilton after all the photos are done and dusted.

A few minutes later Lewis Hamilton comes out and takes a bow as the team applaud his achievement.

The Mercedes team chant Nico Rosberg's name as he strolls out to take his position for the end-of-season photo.

"I'm so happy to be here," says Felipe Massa, who finished a brilliant second. "Today was my best race of the season in terms of pace, looking after the tyres and everything. The podium was nice. Unfortunately we are just missing Frank [Williams] but I'm sure he is watching us.

"It's amazing to see how much we've improved. We want to improve more. I'm really happy to be part of it. Things change quickly but I know how to win and be quick. I can hope I can have that for a long time."

"It was pretty much a faultless race," says Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo who finished fourth. "We did everything we needed to. It wasn't boring but one step better would have been nice from the pit-lane.

"It's been a pretty much perfect year without holding a world title. It was nice to start and finish the season well."

"You want to be on the podium at least," says Ferrari's Fernando Alonso in his final race for the team. "I knew it would be tough. It summarises our season a little bit. It's mixed feelings leaving Ferrari. There are great people here.

"It was a nice experience but I'm looking for better results than 10th. You will find out very soon where I will be driving - you are close!"

Alonso is expected to join McLaren next season, the team which he spent a year with in 2007.