‘It needs to happen now’: Boris Johnson urged to knight Lewis Hamilton after Briton becomes most successful driver in F1 history with 92nd race win in Portugal
- Boris Johnson has been urged to knight Formula One star Lewis Hamilton
- The Briton is the most successful driver ever after securing his 92nd race win
- Lord Hain has long campaigned for the 35-year-old to receive the honour
- Hamilton is closing in on his seventh world championship title this season
Boris Johnson was urged to end the ‘unacceptable’ failure to knight Lewis Hamilton on Monday night.
The Briton became the most successful driver in Formula One history on Sunday when he won for the 92nd time, at the Portuguese Grand Prix. But he remains only an MBE, the honour he received 12 years ago.
Now Lord Hain, who served in Tony Blair‘s Government, is writing a second letter to Downing Street to press for an upgrade.
Boris Johnson has been urged to honour Formula One star Lewis Hamilton with a knighthood
The Brit earned his 92nd race win to become the most successful driver in the sport’s history
Hain previously lobbied for the knighthood when Hamilton won his sixth world title last year. He pointed out that his research showed the 35-year-old racer is one of the UK’s top 5,000 taxpayers, despite living in Monaco.
‘You have got Andy Murray, Mo Farah, Bradley Wiggins who have all been given knighthoods in recent years, and I cannot understand why Lewis Hamilton hasn’t,’ said Hain, vice-chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on F1.
‘Frankly, it is unacceptable. He has broken the record for the number of Formula One races won, and he will soon be a world champion for a seventh time — records that are unlikely to be surpassed.
Calls are growing for Hamilton to be honoured with a knighthood by the Prime Minister
Hamilton’s success in a ‘rich person’s sport’ has been a source of inspiration for many
‘This is a kid from a very deprived background, who is black, and has made it in a rich person’s sport — an incredible achievement. He has been inspirational on the whole question of racism and Black Lives Matter.
‘He supports charities and works on climate change.
‘On the topic of tax, which is said to be a niggle, Lewis is a top British taxpayer. He has a house in London and I have explained all of this. It’s baffling.’
Two other British racing drivers have been knighted: the late Sir Stirling Moss and Sir Jackie Stewart. Their awards came when they were 70 and 62 respectively.
Hamilton could retain his world title — his sixth in seven years — at the Turkish Grand Prix on November 15. Hain added: ‘It should have happened already and it needs to happen now.’
