‘Has he done something that makes it not acceptable to knight him?’: David Coulthard says he ‘doesn’t understand’ why Lewis Hamilton hasn’t been given a knighthood like Sir Andy Murray after breaking F1’s Grand Prix record
- David Coulthard has questioned why Lewis Hamilton has not been knighted
- Hamilton surpassed Michael Schumacher by winning his 92nd race in Portugal
- Coulthard believes the British driver deserves the honour more than others
David Coulthard has questioned why ‘true champion’ Lewis Hamilton hasn’t been given a knighthood like other sporting stars after his record-breaking win in Portugal on Sunday.
Hamilton claimed his 92nd victory at the Portuguese Grand Prix in style with a 25-second margin to surpass Michael Schumacher’s record for most race wins in Formula One.
But despite all his success over the years, he is yet to receive a knighthood like other British stars including Andy Murray, who was knighted for his services to tennis and charity in 2016.
Lewis Hamilton deserves to be knighted like other sporting stars, David Coulthard has said
Coulthard questioned why the record-breaking driver had not yet received a knighthood
When asked by BBC Radio 5 Live whether Hamilton deserves the same recognition, Coulthard said: ‘100 per cent. I don’t understand why so many world championships into his career (he hasn’t been awarded knighthood).
‘He is a global ambassador for Britain.
‘We’ve got a true world championship in Formula 1. We’ve got Lewis there, proudly holding the Union Jack above his head. Everywhere and every time he has the opportunity to do so.
Hamilton won his 92nd race at the Portuguese Grand Prix to surpass Michael Schumacher
‘So, does anyone know a reason why – has he done something that would make him not acceptable under the current regulations to knight him?
‘Because I think he deserves it more than some others.’
For all his triumphs, Hamilton has often split opinion and has not been universally loved in the same way as tennis hero Murray with critics accusing him of taking his eye off the race track after delving into the world of celebrity.
But the driver has been using his social media platforms to raise awareness of important causes and has been outspoken on several subjects including Black Lives Matter and the environment.
He called for fellow drivers to join him in ‘taking a knee’ before each race this season. Some of his peers were less than keen to genuflect for the cause.
Hamilton has been outspoken on a number of social issues including Black Lives Matter
Hamilton then accused the reluctant handful of being complicit in racism unless they spoke out and proved otherwise.
He also paid tribute to Breonna Taylor at the Tuscan Grand Prix by wearing a t-shirt calling for the arrest of the officers who killed her.
The 35-year-old was facing an investigation for the ‘political’ t-shirt but the FIA later confirmed that no action would be taken.
