The Mercedes man went into the final race of the season in direct competition with team-mate Nico Rosberg, with Hamilton safe in the knowledge that a top-two finish would be enough to secure a second world title - even when the controversial double-points system for the final GP of the season was taken into account.
In the end, though, any hopes of a dramatic tussle between the pair were dashed as mechanical problems left Rosberg well off the pace.
The German suffered an Energy Recovery System (ERS) failure, which saw him lose significant power.
He had started the race on pole, but was chasing his team-mate from the first corner as Hamilton got off to a flyer.
Rosberg's day went from bad to worse as his ERS malfunction saw him drop back through the field - his title challenge fading fast.
Mercedes advised him to retire towards the end, but Rosberg was determined to finish and eventually came home in 14th place.
Hamilton, meanwhile, won the title by 67 points - meaning that the much-talked-about double points system designed to provide a dramatic finale never became an issue, despite the pre-season hype.
Williams duo Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas finished second and third respectively, while Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo - who started the race from the pit lane after being excluded from qualifying due to an illegal front wing - was fourth.
Hamilton enjoyed a superb start, racing away from the line to overtake his team-mate and reach the first turn in the lead.
The Brit pitted on lap 11 and rejoined in third place behind Rosberg and Massa, who both pitted on the subsequent lap for Hamilton to regain his position at the front.
Toro Rosso's Daniil Kvyat became the first retirement on lap 16, while Rosberg lost more time to his rival when he suffered a lock-up and was forced wide.
The German continued to fall further behind, with Mercedes delivering the news over the radio of his failed ERS.
Rosberg continued to battle on, but it was not long before Massa passed him for second place.
Pastor Maldonado retired in spectacular fashion with the rear of his Lotus ablaze before Hamilton, whose pace had also slowed, relinquished the lead to Massa when he pitted for a second time on lap 32.
Hamilton fell 15 seconds behind the Brazilian but he was able to retake the lead when Massa made his second scheduled stop.
Massa - who saw the 2008 title snatched away by Hamilton on the final lap of the final race - was quicker than the Brit over the remaining laps, but he was unable to apply sufficient pressure as Hamilton cruised to victory, lapping his flagging team-mate to underline a spectacular triumph.