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An amazing year for Lewis Hamilton on and off the track, which included equaling Michael Schumacher’s record of seven Formula One titles and becoming an increasingly powerful voice for diversity in his sport, ended with a knighthood at the new year’s honors list. The 35-year-old becomes the fourth F1 driver to be knighted after two British compatriots, Sir Stirling Moss and Sir Jackie Stewart, and Australian Sir Jack Brabham.
There was a question mark as to whether Hamilton, who also beat Schumacher’s record for grand prix wins in 2020, would be knighted given that he lives in the tax haven of Monaco. But Prime Minister Boris Johnson was reported to have stepped in personally to ensure Hamilton was rewarded for his sporting achievements.
On Wednesday it was confirmed that Hamilton, who in September also created a commission to analyze the lack of diversity in motorsports, had been recognized through the “diplomats and foreigners” list instead of the national list to avoid controversy over his statements of taxes.
Hamilton was congratulated by Stefano Domenicali, the new CEO of F1, who praised him as a “true giant of our sport”.
“Its influence is enormous both inside and outside of a car,” he added. “What he has achieved is phenomenal and there is still more to come. Everyone in Formula 1 congratulates him on this well deserved recognition of his achievements and we look forward to seeing more of his brilliance in 2021 ”.
Exeter rugby manager Rob Baxter received an OBE, meanwhile, and team captain Joe Simmonds an MBE after the Chiefs won the Premiership title and the European Champions Cup. There were also MBEs for Jimmy Greaves, the former Tottenham and England forward, and former Wolves midfielder Ron Flowers, who became the last surviving members of the 1966 World Cup-winning England squad to be honored.
In women’s soccer, Gill Coultard, the first to win 100 caps for England’s senior team, received an MBE, a gong that was also awarded to Britain’s Billie Jean King Cup tennis captain Anne Keothavong.
Former Leeds Rhino scrum-half Rob Burrow, who has a motor neuron disease, also received an MBE in recognition of services to his sport and to raise awareness of MND during the coronavirus pandemic. His former teammate, Leeds rugby manager Kevin Sinfield, ran seven marathons in seven days to raise funds for the MND Association on Burrow’s behalf, with a total now of more than £ 2.5 million.
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Burrow said that “2020 has taught us all to appreciate the gifts we have and it is an honor and a privilege for me to accept this award on behalf of the entire MND community,” adding: “I hope it gives people the hope that we will not be ignored and the push for more research and support to end MND will not stop. “
Bob Champion, who won the 1981 Grand National at Aldaniti after recovering from cancer, has been awarded a CBE for his charitable work at the Bob Champion Cancer Trust.
Matt Hampson, who was paralyzed from the neck down during a training session with the England Under-21 rugby team in 2005, received an OBE for charitable services. Matchroom President Barry Hearn received the same award for his services to the sport after a 40-year career.
