Lewis Hamilton has made it on the New Year’s Honours list as released by the British Government and the Queen.
Having discussed often in the last few years, Mercedes’ Hamilton will be knighted and named as ‘Sir Lewis Hamilton’ going forward as his name features in this year’s New Year’s Honours list, released by the British Government and the Queen.
Hamilton beat Michael Schumacher’s record of most F1 wins earlier in the 2020 season and eventually equaled the seven titles record as well, with a chance of breaking it in 2021 if he sticks around with Mercedes for another year.
The major hurdle for Hamilton has been his tax issues, especially because he moved to Monaco. But as per British media, the higher authorities felt that the tax side are ‘all in order’, which paved way for the British F1 star to receive knighthood.
Hamilton is the sole to get knighthood on the list for his services to motor racing. He is the fourth F1 driver to have ‘Sir’ against his name after Sir Jackie Stewart, Sir Jack Brabham and Sir Stirling Moss, and fifth from the sport after Sir Patrick Head and Sir Frank Williams.
Stefano Domenicali, Formula 1’s incoming CEO, said: “Lewis is a true giant of our sport and his influence is huge both in and out of a car. 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.”
Meanwhile, the explanation from the British Government states: “Lewis Hamilton MBE, Formula One Driver Lewis Hamilton MBE is recognised for his outstanding achievements and contribution to motorsports. This year, he equalled Michael Schumacher’s record by winning his seventh World Drivers’ Championship, in addition to becoming the most successful Formula 1 driver of all time in terms of most race wins, pole positions and podium finishes.
“These records place him amongst the greatest ever sportsmen that the United Kingdom has produced. As well as his sporting achievements, Lewis Hamilton continues to make charitable and philanthropic contributions in the UK and overseas supporting a wide range of causes from improving equality within motorsport, to supporting disadvantaged young people, children’s charities and conservation causes.”
Here’s the full list: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/948421/New_Year_Honours_List_2021.pdf
Here’s the list where he is: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-year-honours-2021-overseas-and-international-list/new-year-honours-2021-overseas-and-international-list-knight-bachelor-and-order-of-the-british-empire
Here’s the story from November about the news
Here’s how the drivers’ fit in tier system
Here’s the drivers’ Top 10 of 2020
Here’s stats difference from 2019 to 2020
Here’s Valtteri Bottas on losing to Lewis Hamilton