Millions of fans worldwide watched, with baited breath, as Lewis Hamilton tried to win the Formula 1 world title in Brazil on Sunday.

In a nailbiting finish, Lewis finally managed to get the vital fifth place he needed on the last lap with just a few hundred yards to go and so became the youngest title holder in the history of the championship.

One of those who played a vital role in the world champion's success was Pembrokeshire born, Owen Jones, originally from Letterston.

Owen is one of Mercedes' engine gurus and has been responsible for the development and performance of the engine in Lewis's and teammate Heikki Kovalainen's McLaren-Mercedes cars. Most experts acknowledge that these are probably the best engines in Formula 1.

From his early days at Fishguard Secondary School, Owen has always had an enthusiastic interest in motorsport and was determined to make it his career.

After leaving school, he studied at Imperial College, London, obtaining a Masters degree in mechanical engineering.

Owen has now worked in F1 for 12 years, first working for the world-famous Cosworth company, where he led the performance development team on engines for a number of Formula 1 teams, including Stewart, Jaguar, Red Bull and Williams.

Two years ago, Owen took up his current position as head of performance engineering with Mercedes-Benz at Brixworth, Northampton.

Owen was at the Mercedes headquarters in Brixworth with 150 friends and colleagues to witness the drama as it unfolded.

"It was a pretty nailbiting race," he said. "With 10 laps to go, it looked reasonably secure but the rain shower just a few laps from the end nearly turned the dream into a nightmare. For a minute, it seemed we were going to suffer last year's disappointment all over again. But then the gloom was replaced by rapturous elation as Lewis gained the vital position on the very last corner to secure the world championship by just one point. It was a momentous occasion and one I will always remember," he added.

Owen lives at Greens Norton, Northampton, with his wife Amanda and daughters Elena and Alice. The family loves to visit Pembrokeshire whenever an opportunity arises.

Owen's parents, Patrick and Valerie Jones, of Loveston, Kilgetty, had wisely taken the precaution of putting a bottle of champagne in the fridge!