Sky Sports F1 commentators Martin Brundle and Damon Hill have congratulated Lewis Hamilton on receiving a knighthood. They regard this recognition as a well-deserved tribute to Hamilton’s remarkable contributions on the race track and in his advocacy against racial injustice.
In a year that saw him clinch his seventh F1 world title, equaling the all-time record set my Michael Schumacher, Hamilton’s influence extended far beyond the race track as he became a vocal advocate for social change.
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With this knighthood, Hamilton joins the elite group of F1 legends like Sir Jack Brabham, Sir Stirling Moss, and Sir Jackie Stewart, who are distinguished by this honour. Uniquely, Hamilton is the first to receive this accolade while still an active competitor in the sport.
“Congratulations to him, and very well deserved,” Brundle told Sky Sports News.
“Seven world titles he has in his pocket now equalling the great Michael Schumacher. He tops the tables in Formula 1 for most victories at 95, most pole positions at 98, most podiums at 165.
“He’s 36 years old on January 7. Most of the young guns aiming to knock him off the pedestal are 10-15 years younger than him and he still turns up with his A game; full of energy, pushing like crazy.
“If anybody in sporting terms deserves this recognition then surely it’s Sir Lewis Hamilton.”
Based on his achievements both on the track and through his off-track endeavors this year, Brundle believes “the time surely feels absolutely right” for Hamilton to be knighted.
Hill, who claimed the World Championship in 1996, lauded Hamilton’s recognition as “terrific and well earned”. He commended the seven-time champion for prominently highlighting social justice and diversity issues, not only within Formula 1 but also in the broader society.
“He is standing up for issues that are close to his heart and affect everyone, and in our sport it’s very rare for a driver to get involved in anything that’s outside of Formula 1,” said Hill to Sky Sports.
“Lewis has said ‘this affects me, this affects every black person’. He’s stood up at a time when it could have destabilised his career, could have destabilised his concentration on the championship. So he took a huge gamble to do that, and that’s courage and that’s standing up for what you believe is right.”
Hamilton was honoured for his services to motorsport on the Overseas and International List, which recognises “exceptional service to the UK abroad and internationally”.
Brundle said: “When we see Lewis up on the podium and we hear the national anthem, and we see him with the Union Flag and being crowd-surfed at Silverstone, this all sums it up in terms of underlining what he has achieved in representing Great Britain and Formula 1.”
Wolff Praises Hamilton
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff expressed his admiration for their star driver, stating: “Lewis is one of the very greatest racing drivers of all time and the most successful British sportsperson of his era.
“Around the world, he has long been recognised for his sporting achievement; 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 news that he is to receive a knighthood shows that he is now receiving the recognition he has earned during a career of unparalleled success in motorsport. The UK can be very proud to have a champion and ambassador of the calibre of Sir Lewis Hamilton.”
Source: Sky Sports F1
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