After heartbreaking F1 loss, Sir Lewis Hamilton is knighted

Lewis Hamilton suffered a heart-breaking down-the-line loss to Max Verstappen in the Formula 1 Championship on Sunday and missed out on winning a record eighth title, but he may take some comfort in another achievement that came just days later- being granted a knighthood.

Honors list awardee

The Prince of Wales awarded Hamilton his knighthood at an investiture ceremony in Windsor Castle. The Mercedes driver was recognized in the New Year Honors list after an impressive performance in 2020 where he matched F1 legend Michael Schumacher’s record of winning seven Formula 1 World Championships and overtook the German’s record of 91 race wins.

The honors list is published two times a year to celebrate people who have excelled in a variety of fields.

First active racer to be knighted

Hamilton was accompanied by his mother Carmen Lockhart, who witnessed her son become the first Formula 1 driver to have been knighted while still actively competing in the circuit. Overall, he is the fourth F1 driver in history to receive the honor, after Sir Jackie Stewart, Sir Stirling Moss, and Sir Jack Brabham.

The ceremony comes days after Verstappen defeated him at the final lap in the Formula 1 race in Abu Dhabi. Mercedes protested the race results, claiming there was a breach of regulations when the safety car was deployed late in the race.

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The car’s deployment gave the Dutchman an advantage as he was driving with fresher and faster tires and eventually allowed him to overtake Hamilton to take the checkered flag. The appeals by Mercedes were later rejected by race stewards.

Hamilton was magnanimous in defeat, and congratulated Verstappen on his victory.

The 36-year-old will have another opportunity to break the record and win an eighth championship at next year’s race, accompanied by his new team mate George Russell.