‘I think about Captain Tom and the doctors and nurses’: Lewis Hamilton says he doesn’t consider himself an ‘unsung hero’ as pressure mounts for seven-time world champion to be knighted in New Year honours list
- Lewis Hamilton won a record-equalling seventh F1 world title on Sunday
- Clamour for the 35-year-old to receive a knighthood will grow this week
- Lord Hain will write to the Prime Minister calling for Hamilton to be made a ‘Sir’
- Hamilton described prospect of receiving a knighthood an ‘incredible honour’
- He also spoke about ‘unsung heroes’ such as doctors and nurses fighting Covid
Lewis Hamilton says he doesn’t regard himself as an ‘unsung hero’ as pressure mounts for his achievements to be rewarded with a knighthood in the New Year honours list.
The Mercedes driver claimed a record-equalling seventh Formula One world title by winning the Turkish Grand Prix on Sunday.
And the clamour for recognition in the honours list will grow this week with Lord Hain, the former cabinet minister and chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for F1, set to send a second letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson calling for Hamilton to be made a ‘Sir’.
Calls are growing for Lewis Hamilton to be knighted in the New Year honours list after he won a record-equalling seventh Formula One world championship on Sunday
Ex-cabinet minister Lord Hain (above) will write to Boris Johnson for a Hamilton knighthood
Hamilton, 35, was awarded an MBE after his maiden championship triumph in 2008.
Speaking about a potential knighthood, Hamilton said: ‘When I think about that honour of being knighted, I think about people like my grandad who served in the war.
‘Captain Tom [Moore] waited 100 years for that great honour, and then you have these doctors and nurses, who are saving lives during this hardest time ever.
‘I think about those unsung heroes and I don’t look at myself as an unsung hero. I haven’t saved anybody. It is an incredible honour that a small number of people have bestowed on them.
‘I hear the national anthem and I am a very proud Brit. It is a special moment to be up there representing a nation and having the flag over your head.’
Hamilton celebrates his seventh world title after winning Sunday’s Turkish Grand Prix
The 35-year-old described the knighthood as an ‘incredible honour’ but spoke of ‘unsung heroes’ like Captain Tom Moore and the doctors and nurses fighting the Covid-19 pandemic
Sports stars Andy Murray, Mo Farah and Alastair Cook have all been knighted in recent years.
Hamilton has equalled Michael Schumacher’s record of seven Formula One world titles having already registered a great number of victories, pole positions and podiums in an illustrious career.
His class was highlighted once again on Sunday as he skilfully negotiated wet and treacherous conditions to move from sixth on the grid to a commanding win in Istanbul.
Afterwards Hamilton, whose £40million-a-year contract with Mercedes is about to expire, said: ‘I feel like I am only just getting started.
Hamilton referenced Captain Tom Moore, 100, who received a knighthood this year
‘I feel physically in great shape. This year has been the hardest year for millions of people. I know things always look great on the big stage but it is no different for us athletes. It has been a challenge.
‘I didn’t know how to get through it but with the help of a great team around me I have managed to keep my head about water and stay focused.
‘I am really hopeful for a better year and I would love to stay. We only have just begun in our work to hold ourselves accountable as a sport, to realise that we cannot ignore the human rights issues with the countries we go to.
‘I want to help Formula One. I want to help Mercedes in that journey.’