Lewis Hamilton awarded knighthood for services to motorsport

British Formula One driver caps superb year by being recognised in UK New Year Honours list

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain celebrates after winning the Formula One Grand Prix of Tuscany, at the Mugello circuit in Scarperia, Italy, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno, Pool)Show less

Lewis Hamilton's incredible year has been sealed by being awarded a knighthood for services to motorsport.

The 35-year-old equalled Michael Schumacher's record of seven Formula One world titles this year as he continues to dominate the sport, and his achievements have been recognised in the UK's New Year Honours list.

Earlier this month, the Mercedes driver was voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year, finishing ahead of Liverpool footballer Jordan Henderson and jockey Hollie Doyle.

Hamilton built his reputation as a prodigious junior karter, and made his F1 debut in 2007 with McLaren.

His maiden title was won with that team too in 2008 but Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull then took centre stage, before a move to Mercedes for the 2013 season changed everything.

He won the world championship in 2014 and 2015, lost out to Nico Rosberg in 2016 but has dominated ever since, with 2020 his fourth title in a row.

The magnificent seven was completed in Turkey in November, and he won 11 races in the 2020 season in all.

He surpassed Schumacher's record of 91 race wins with his triumph in Portugal in October.

Hamilton has used his winning platform to show his support for the Black Lives Matter movement, with protests spreading around the world following the death of black man George Floyd in police custody in the United States in May.

Sitting in as guest editor on BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Boxing Day, Hamilton told Professor David Olusoga: "I had this extra drive in me this year to get to the end of those races.

"It was a different drive than what I've had in me in the past, to get to the end of those races first so that I could utilise that platform [for Black Lives Matter] and shine the light as bright as possible."

Asked by Olusoga if he had been concerned about the response to his stance, Hamilton replied: "There is no way that I could stay silent. And once I said that to myself, I didn't hold any fear."

Hamilton was also asked by presenter Nick Robinson about racism in his sport and the fact that he is the only black F1 driver.

"There are many other young kids of colour that deserve the opportunity to progress, have a great education, [who could] be an engineer or whatever it is they want. But the fact is, the opportunity is not the same for them," said Hamilton.

A contract for next year is still to be signed, but 2021 could be the year Hamilton overtakes Schumacher to be the most decorated driver in the history of the sport.

Hamilton has not resided permanently in the UK since 2007, and his knighthood was included on the Diplomatic and Overseas List.

He initially moved to Switzerland and then on to Monaco, both considered tax havens, though he has defended the amount of tax he pays in the UK.

In an interview with The Sunday Times in 2017, he said: "What people don't realise is that I pay tax here, but I don't earn all my money here.

"I race in 19 different countries, so I earn my money in 20 different places and I pay tax in several different places, and I pay a lot here as well.

"I am contributing to the country and, not only that, I help keep a team of more than 1,000 people employed. I am part of a much bigger picture."

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Hamilton, Schumacher and the F1 drivers with most titles

7 titles - Michael Schumacher won a record seven Formula One world titles. The German won back-to-back titles at Benetton before leaving to join Ferrari in 1996. He would go on to win five successive F1 titles from 2000-04. Getty Images

7 titles - Lewis Hamilton equalled the legendary Schumacher's seven world titles with victory at Sunday's Turkish Grand Prix. The Briton began his career at McLaren and went on to win his maiden F1 drivers' title in 2008. Since switching to Mercedes, the Briton has won six of the past seven championships, finishing second behind former teammate Nico Rosberg in 2016. Getty Images

5 titles - Juan Manuel Fangio secured all his titles in the 1950s with four teams - Alfa Romeo (1951), Maserati (1954, 1957), Daimler Benz (1955), Ferrari (1956). Getty Images

4 titles - Alain Prost was known as "The Professor" during an F1 career that saw him race for teams including McLaren, Ferrari and Williams. The Frenchman won three of his world titles while at McLaren (1985, 1986 and 1989) and one with Williams in 1993 before he retired from F1. Getty Images

4 titles - Sebastien Vettel won consecutive F1 championships behind the wheel of Red Bull between 2010-13. Getty Images

3 titles - Jack Brabham won the first two of his championships racing for Cooper (1959, 1960) before setting up his own racing organisation in 1962 where he went on to clinch the 1966 title. Getty Images

3 titles - Jackie Stewart's glorious career in F1 spanned eight years and four teams. The Briton won the 1969 title behind the wheel of a Matra before securing the titles in 1971 and 1973 with Tyrell. Getty Images

3 titles - Niki Lauda won the F1 title in 1975 and 1977 for Ferrari and in 1984 with McLaren. He almost won the 1976 title despite suffering horrific burns and being given his last rites. Getty Images

3 titles - Nelson Piquet collected three F1 titles during a long and illustrious racing career, the first two with Brabham, in 1981 and again in 1983, before clinching his third title with Williams four years later. Getty Images

3 titles - Many argue that the Brazilian Ayrton Senna is the greatest F1 driver of all time, despite others having won more titles. Senna won all of his championships driving for McLaren (1988, 1990, 1991) before joining Williams in 1994. He died following a crash at the San Marino Grand Prix the same year. Getty Images