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Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton has been named the 2020 BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
One of F1’s all-time great drivers, he equaled Michael Schumacher’s record of seven world titles with his fourth consecutive championship in 2020.
The 35-year-old from Stevenage also surpassed Schumacher’s total of 91 grand prix wins.
In a public vote, Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson finished second, while jockey Hollie Doyle was third.
Boxer Tyson Fury, England cricketer Stuart Broad, and billiard great Ronnie O’Sullivan were also shortlisted for the top prize.
“I want to congratulate all the amazing nominees,” said Hamilton. “I am very proud of what they have accomplished and I want to thank everyone who has voted for me.
“I didn’t expect this knowing that there are so many great contenders.
“I want to say Merry Christmas to everyone, it has been such an unusual year and I want to mention all the frontline workers and all the children around the world. I want them to try to stay positive in this difficult time by sending them all the positivity. Thank you from the beginning. Bottom of my heart “.
It is the second time Hamilton has been crowned Sports Personality of the Year, having won the award for the first time in 2014.
He is also a four-time runner-up, most recently in 2019.
Hamilton, who holds the record for the most pole positions, won 11 of the 17 grands prix during the 2020 season, which started four months late due to the coronavirus pandemic. He achieved three more podiums.
Speaking to Sally Nugent of BBC Breakfast, Hamilton also paid tribute to Captain Sir Tom Moore, who was honored with the Helen Rollason Award for your incredible fundraising efforts during the lockdown, Anonymous young hero winner Tobias Weller, and Manchester United and England footballer Marcus Rashford, who won a special award.
“There are so many great stories out there,” Hamilton said. “And I really wasn’t expecting it.
“Your heart is always beating in the last seconds when they announce because you have no idea who was called. But I am very, very, very grateful to the British public.
“This definitely goes a long way toward giving me the best Christmas I could have given under the circumstances.”
The Sports Personality of the Year 2020 was broadcast live from MediaCityUK, Salford, in front of a virtual audience of 1,000 people and millions of BBC One viewers.
Soccer expert Alex Scott joined the introductory lineup alongside Gary Lineker, Clare Balding and Gabby Logan to look back on a truly unusual sporting year.
Other Award Winners in Sports Personality 2020
Helen Rollason Award: Captain Sir Tom Moore
Special Panel of Experts Award: Marcus Rashford
Coach of the year: Jurgen Klopp
Team of the year: Liverpool FC
Anonymous hero: Sergeant Matt Ratana
Captain Tom Young Hero Unsung: Tobias Weller
Young Sports Personality of the Year: Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix
