To cap off a tremendous year coloured by career highs, historic wins, as well as equalling the legendary Michael Schumacher with a seventh Formula 1 world title (and surpassing him in all-time wins), Mercedes-AMG Petronas’ Lewis Hamilton is now on track to be knighted.
There was some question as to whether the 35-year-old Briton would actually be eligible for a knighthood given he officially resides in Monaco for tax purposes. According to The Guardian, however, Prime Minister Boris Johnson personally intervened to ensure Hamilton would be recognised for his sporting achievements in the New Year Honours list.
“Lewis is one of the very greatest racing drivers of all time and the most successful British sportsperson of his era,” says Toto Wolff, Mercedes-AMG Petronas Team Principal.
“This year, he combined his excellence on the track with a powerful voice to fight discrimination. In every sense, he led the way in 2020… The UK can be very proud to have a champion and ambassador of the calibre of Sir Lewis Hamilton.”
“Lewis is a true giant of our sport and his influence is huge both in and out of a car,” says Stefano Domenicali, Formula 1’s incoming CEO.
“What he has achieved is phenomenal with still more to come. All of us at Formula 1 congratulate him on this well-deserved recognition of his achievements and look forward to seeing more of his brilliance in 2021.”
Incidentally, Lewis Hamilton will mark the seventh recipient from Formula 1 to be honoured in this very fashion after Sir Jackie Stewart, Sir Stirling Moss, Sir Frank Williams, Sir Patrick Head, Sir Jack Brabham – as well as being just the fourth driver ever knighted.
