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Lewis Hamilton will receive the knighthood on the New Years honor roll after winning his seventh world championship this year.
The 35-year-old Formula One champion will receive the gong despite his controversial tax issues.
Lewis Hamilton will receive the knighthood on the New Years honor roll after winning his seventh world championship this year.
Hamilton made F1 history last week when he equaled the legendary Michael Schumacher’s record with a seventh world title win. No one has won more drivers’ championships than the pair in the sport.
Hamilton himself has previously downplayed calls for a knighthood, saying, “I have not saved any lives, I am not a forgotten hero like the NHS staff or Captain Sir Tom Moore.”
But he told the BBC that if he were awarded the honor, it would be the happiest day of his life to meet the Queen again.
He said: ‘Like everyone, I grew up worshiping the royal family, if one day I feel honored to be in front of the queen again, it would be the happiest day to see here again, she is an icon, such an amazing individual.’
The driver, pictured receiving his MBE from the Queen in 2009, will receive the gong despite controversial tax issues.
The champion, who has often spoken out on race issues, has been praised as one of Britain’s best athletes.
The broker, estimated at £ 250 million, resides in the tax haven of Monaco.
A friend said: ‘This is an honor that has eluded Lewis for so many years. It marks an incredible end to the most wonderful season. ‘
Another said: ‘He is paying the correct amount of taxes, everything he owes.
“It has been proposed by the heads of the industry in recognition of its enormous contribution to the sport.”
The driver’s tax arrangements, which were legal, saved him £ 3.3 million by registering a £ 16.5 million private jet on the Isle of Man.
Hamilton’s eulogy comes after his vocal support for the Black Lives Matter movement, especially in the wake of George Floyd’s death.
The British driver sealed his seventh world championship with his victory in Turkey
Hamilton made F1 history last week when he equaled the legendary Michael Schumacher’s record with a seventh world title.
And in an interview with BBC News on Thursday morning, Hamilton spoke about how his upbringing made him more determined than ever to bring about change, urging young people not to give up on their dreams.
“For children who dream of the impossible, don’t give up on that dream because I am living proof that you can manifest your dreams and even the impossible,” he said.
‘I remember when I was a child; adults, teachers, parents of other drivers who told me I would not make it. “You are not going to make it, go back to your country.”
All these horrible things and I remember thinking I was going to prove him wrong.
Hamilton is now the most successful driver in Formula One history. He has more races won than Michael Schumacher (the couple pictured in 2012) and has equaled their record for championship wins.
“The message is for all children who feel they have no voice and may be dreaming of something or want to dream big.”
At 35, he still has a passion to continue fighting for success not only on the track, but also away from it as a key activist and an important voice calling for greater racial equality and diversity.
It comes after he recently asked for more time for himself on his excellent new £ 120 million Mercedes deal.
The champion has drifted further away from his family this year amid the coronavirus pandemic, and the exhaustive demands to compete at the top have led him to demand that more personal days be included in the deal, which is expected to end soon. .
Hamilton gets into his Mercedes to greet his team and celebrate being world champion for the seventh time
Hamilton struggles to hold back tears after equaling Michael Schumacher’s record of seven world titles
He told the BBC: ‘I’m going to spend time with friends and family, creating memories, if we can start traveling more, it’s about taking my family somewhere and creating memories with them and celebrating with them, just being close to they’. because this year I have not been able to see them.
And when asked if he would have more time for himself carved into his new deal, he responded with a knowing smile.
‘Potentially … that’s always part of the conversation, I need more time, I think this year has shown, for example, that you can work from home.
“I’m sure there will be a lot of Zoom days on the contract instead of today, which means I have to fly less, which is good.”
