Seven-time Formula 1 World Champion, Lewis Hamilton has been knighted just days after a controversial loss in Abu Dhabi that dashed his hopes of earning a record eighth title this season.
Hamilton was given a knighthood in the New Year Honours list in 2020 having previously been awarded the MBE in 2008 after winning his first championship.
Prince Charles knighted Hamilton in a ceremony at Windsor Castle Wednesday morning on behalf of his mother, Queen Elizabeth.
🏎️ Arise Sir @LewisHamilton!
The seven-time @F1 World Champion received his Knighthood from The Prince of Wales at today’s Investiture ceremony held at Windsor Castle. pic.twitter.com/I3xicKLLYp
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) December 15, 2021
Hamilton was honored for his “services to motorsports,” Buckingham Palace said in a statement announcing his investiture this week.
Read Also: Lewis Hamilton Racially Abused On Social Media Over Controversial British GP Win
The sportsman’s mother, Carmen Lockhart joined her son at Windsor Castle for the ceremony.
Over the weekend, Hamilton lost in the F1 season finale in Abu Dhabi after a controversial mid-race decision by officials.
Read Also: Formula One: Lewis Hamilton Charges Past Max Verstappen To Win 5th Straight Spanish Grand Prix
Hamilton had held the lead for the majority of the race and looked to be coasting to victory when the safety car was brought out after a crash from Nicholas Latifi in the final few laps.
It looked like the race might end behind the safety car, but controversially, just one racing lap was left and the Dutchman was just behind the Brit, having been over 12 seconds behind before the crash.
Verstappen made it past, thanks to fresher tyres, and held off a Hamilton response to cross the line and claim the world title, to Red Bull’s delight and the fury of Mercedes.
Read Also: Formula One Star, Lewis Hamilton Awarded Knighthood In UK’s New Year Honours List
Mercedes has launched two appeals, both of which have been dismissed by F1. If Hamilton had won the championship, he would have surpassed his tie with Germany’s Michael Schumacher to become the driver with the most titles.
Twice a year, the queen publishes a list of British subjects to be given titles based on their achievements. Many male British stars have been awarded knighthood, including musicians Elton John, Paul McCartney and Mick Jagger.
Actresses like Judi Dench and Maggie Smith have been made dames, the female equivalent.
Having claimed a further six world championships since, and amassed a record 103 race wins, he now becomes only the fourth F1 driver to be knighted, following in the footsteps of Jack Brabham, Stirling Moss and Jackie Stewart.
Sir Lewis is the first active F1 driver to receive the accolade though with the other legendary trio all given the honour many years after their Grand Prix careers had ended.
Hamilton holds the record for the most world titles in the sport, level with legendary driver Michael Schumacher.
The Mercedes driver not only leads by example on the track but also for using his platform to make a stand on a range of important issues.
Read Also: Turkish GP: Lewis Hamilton Equals Michael Schumacher’s Record By Winning Seventh F1 Title (Photos)
Despite Hamilton’s incredible year, he has not been included on the shortlist for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award this year.
Tennis sensation, Emma Raducanu is the big favourite to land the prize on Sunday evening and is joined by Tyson Fury, Tom Daley, Raheem Sterling, Dame Sarah Storey and Adam Peaty.
