Arise Sir Lewis; Formula One champion Hamilton gets his knighthood

By Alan Baldwin

 

FILE PHOTO: Formula One F1 - Bahrain Grand Prix - Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain - November 29, 2020 Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton celebrates on the podium after winning the race Pool via REUTERS/Tolga Bozoglu

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Seven-times Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton was awarded a knighthood in the UK New Year's honours list published on Wednesday.

 

The 35-year-old this year became the most successful F1 driver of all time after equalling Ferrari great Michael Schumacher's record seven titles and beating the German's 91 race wins.

 

The sport's only Black driver, who grew up in social housing as the grandson of immigrants from the Caribbean, Hamilton has also used his profile to campaign for diversity and speak out against racial injustice.

 

The Monaco resident's presence on the overseas and international list, rather than a main one with many rewarded for service to public health in a pandemic, was seen as a reflection of his tax status.

 

The Daily Mail newspaper said Prime Minister Boris Johnson had "bent the rules" to get around the tax requirements for domestic awards.

 

The citation referred to Hamilton's sporting record and his "charitable and philanthropic contributions in the UK and overseas".

 

Cinematographer Roger Deakins, famed for his work on movies such as "1917", "Shawshank Redemption" and "Skyfall", was also knighted on the same overseas list.

 

Hamilton's supporters have long felt his achievements have not been sufficiently recognised at home and they expressed delight at the Mercedes driver joining a select group of sporting sirs.

 

"Lewis is a true giant of our sport and his influence is huge both in and out of a car," said newly-appointed Formula One chief executive Stefano Domenicali, a former Ferrari team principal.

 

"What he has achieved is phenomenal with still more to come."

 

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff hailed Hamilton, who won his first title with McLaren in 2008, as the most successful British sportsperson of his era.

 

The knighthood, he added, showed that Hamilton -- often seen as a polarising figure -- was "now receiving the recognition he has earned during a career of unparalleled success in motorsport".

 

"The UK can be very proud to have a champion and ambassador of the calibre of Sir Lewis Hamilton," added the Austrian.

 

Hamilton is the fourth F1 driver to be knighted after the late Australian Jack Brabham, Stirling Moss and triple champion Jackie Stewart and the only one to have received the award while still racing.

 

Cycling's Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins, Olympic 5,000 and 10,000 metres gold medallist Mo Farah, twice Wimbledon tennis champion Andy Murray and England cricketer Alastair Cook have also been knighted as active sportsmen.

 

(Reporting by Alan Baldwin, editing by Ed Osmond)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-12-31

 

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Hamilton will have no trouble taking the knee at the investiture. Hope Her Majesty controls the sword well. 

Her deserves it for his sporting talent. Too political for me though, as many are banging on about the same thing. All lives should matter IMO

a  little ironic accepting such a prestigious title from someone that exemplifies the privilege he stands against. 

Somehow not shocking to see the veiled racists comments here already.

 

Andy Murray, who is an amazing man and a good tennis player - with just two Grand Slam victories though, hardly the best in his sport in even one year, has also been knighted.

 

Andy Murray takes the knee in support of Black Lives Matter at Battle of the Brits tennis tournament

 

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8467737/Andy-Murray-takes-knee-support-Black-Lives-Matter-Battle-Brits-tennis-tournament.html

 

 

Congrats to both Sir Andy and Sir Lewis, well deserved.

 

 

Edited December 31, 20205 yr by mtls2005

They should give the knighthood to Mercedes.

38 minutes ago, Laughing Gravy said:

Her deserves it for his sporting talent. Too political for me though, as many are banging on about the same thing. All lives should matter IMO

 

You're absolutely right.  All lives SHOULD matter.  The problem is that up until now, they haven't.  A quick look at history would indicate that Black lives have not mattered.  "Black Lives Matter" really is asking for the lives of Black people to matter on par with the lives of White people, not special consideration as many incorrectly claim.  

 

"Many are banging on about the same thing" because many believe it's an issue that needs addressing. 

 

4 minutes ago, mtraveler said:

 

You're absolutely right.  All lives SHOULD matter.  The problem is that up until now, they haven't.  A quick look at history would indicate that Black lives have not mattered.  "Black Lives Matter" really is asking for the lives of Black people to matter on par with the lives of White people, not special consideration as many incorrectly claim.  

 

"Many are banging on about the same thing" because many believe it's an issue that needs addressing. 

 

Why not address all lives then instead of just focusing on one section. I know some will disagree but other lives get pushed to the back and sportsmen are monopolising  on this, such as LH.

Well done Lewis, well deserved

49 minutes ago, Laughing Gravy said:

Her deserves it for his sporting talent. Too political for me though, as many are banging on about the same thing. All lives should matter IMO

Of course all lives matter but BLM was born to highlight the disproportionate number of coloured people who are targeted, killed, assaulted and persecuted simply because of the colour of their skin. All lives obviously don't matter to many people and Black Lives Matter is one way of calling for equal respect, treatment and dignity for those subject to discrimination and worse.

6 minutes ago, Laughing Gravy said:

Why not address all lives then instead of just focusing on one section. I know some will disagree but other lives get pushed to the back and sportsmen are monopolising  on this, such as LH.

 

Why?  Because one section of the population has received and continues to receive unequal treatment.  And their lives have not seemed to matter.    

 

I haven't seen any fans at football matches throwing loaves of "white bread" at White players, though Black players have bananas thrown at them.  And the vestiges of slavery still exist in America.    Were the treatment equal from both sides, I would absolutely agree.  But it's not.  

 

Sadly, I came here to celebrate Hamilton's achievement, and I got sidetracked with this issue.  So, to get back to the original theme of the post: Congratulations, Lewis.  

40 minutes ago, Laughing Gravy said:

Why not address all lives then instead of just focusing on one section. I know some will disagree but other lives get pushed to the back and sportsmen are monopolising  on this, such as LH.

For the same reason that Bob Geldof and Co weren't holding rock concerts for the UK/US/Germany/Australia... back in the 80s and 90s.  Sure, there are poor people in those countries, just as there are lives other than Black ones that are discriminated against, but the movement is pointing out the imbalances due to systematic racism, and trying to establish a level field, regardless of race.  And the way to make that field level is to elevate the races discriminated against, (or lower those positively discriminated for, which would be a rather negative way of achieving a goal).  Agreed, the slogan could, maybe should, have been Black Lives Matter Too, but too many people choose to interpret it as Black Lives are the only Lives that Matter, which it definitely isn't.  

 

As for Lewis "monopolising" on this, I suggest you look at some interviews given by, not just him, but also those he competed against, when young , detailing the opposition and thinly disguised racism shown against him when he first started the sport.  Again, sure, there may have been poor white people looked down upon as well, but in their case it would have purely been a class issue, rather than a race one.  Interestingly, when a poor white boy makes it in life, and points out the struggle he had to get there, he's seen as a "battler" and a "working class hero", yet when a poor black boy does the same he's seen as a troublemaker, and ungrateful.

 

Maybe a Poor Lives Matter movement should be started as well?  I know this country could do with one, and, I suspect that all those railing against BLM would support PLM without trying to point out that Rich Lives Matter too.

 

 

Edited December 31, 20205 yr by ballpoint

Personally, I think all the NHS staff should have been recognised in the new year honours list. 

If he accepts it then he's the hypocrit of the year ... or he accepts it standing up instead of kneeling down ...

11 minutes ago, Dmaxdan said:

Personally, I think all the NHS staff should have been recognised in the new year honours list. 

A pay rise would do nicely.

1 hour ago, Laughing Gravy said:

Her deserves it for his sporting talent. Too political for me though, as many are banging on about the same thing. All lives should matter IMO

I agree he deserves it for his sporting talent. But I thought his tax situation, and him living in Monaco excluded him from getting one. Obviously I was wrong.

 

Why  bend the rules for him?

 

 

Well done Lewis Hamilton.

 

 

I recall very well his first appearance in Formula 1 racing, not just his clearly evident  talent but the overt racism amongst white F1 followers who really did not like seeing Lewis winning.

 

It had a precedent in Tiger Lewis, where white fans of golf didn’t like seeing him win either.

 

As others have stated, the same is true in soccer but also on the tennis courts.

 

Hamilton has had a long hard journey to the top of his sport, his achievements speak for themselves. He richly deserves this recognition.

 

...

As for Lewis expressing his political views, take note of the views expressed by those objecting, a pattern exists.

 

 

Edited December 31, 20205 yr by Chomper Higgot

3 minutes ago, phetphet said:

I agree he deserves it for his sporting talent. But I thought his tax situation, and him living in Monaco excluded him from getting one. Obviously I was wrong.

 

Why  bend the rules for him?

 

 

What rules have bent?

14 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

What rules have bent?

OK. rules is the wrong word. Although it was used in the  original  article.

The Daily Mail newspaper said Prime Minister Boris Johnson had "bent the rules" to get around the tax requirements for domestic awards.

 

Let's say guidelines. These were to try and avoid any public outcry when these multi millionaires who live abroad and use tax avoidance schemes to avoid paying UK tax, were given  knighthoods.

 

Philip Green comes to mind.

 

I think Lewis has been awarded this year, partly because of his more political stance alongside his fantastic F1 record.

 

 

The dailymail got it right.

 

Arise,Sir Tax Exile !

Lewis Hamilton gets a knighthood despite living in Swiss and Monaco havens for 13 years

Edited December 31, 20205 yr by Farma

17 minutes ago, Farma said:

The dailymail got it right.

 

Arise,Sir Tax Exile !

Lewis Hamilton gets a knighthood despite living in Swiss and Monaco havens for 13 years

 

So your objection is with the Queen? Right?

 

 

1 hour ago, mtraveler said:

Why?  Because one section of the population has received and continues to receive unequal treatment.  And their lives have not seemed to matter. 

I stick by my point that I would like politics to be out of sport.

If he was white and saying white lives matter, I would have the same opinion.

 

Also not all white people were born into privilege and had it as rough as anyone. I know.

 

Again well done for his sporting talents.

1 hour ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Well done Lewis Hamilton.

 

 

I recall very well his first appearance in Formula 1 racing, not just his clearly evident  talent but the overt racism amongst white F1 followers who really did not like seeing Lewis winning.

 

It had a precedent in Tiger Lewis, where white fans of golf didn’t like seeing him win either.

 

As others have stated, the same is true in soccer but also on the tennis courts.

 

Hamilton has had a long hard journey to the top of his sport, his achievements speak for themselves. He richly deserves this recognition.

 

...

As for Lewis expressing his political views, take note of the views expressed by those objecting, a pattern exists.

 

 

 

1 hour ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Well done Lewis Hamilton.

 

 

I recall very well his first appearance in Formula 1 racing, not just his clearly evident  talent but the overt racism amongst white F1 followers who really did not like seeing Lewis winning.

 

It had a precedent in Tiger Lewis, where white fans of golf didn’t like seeing him win either.

 

As others have stated, the same is true in soccer but also on the tennis courts.

 

Hamilton has had a long hard journey to the top of his sport, his achievements speak for themselves. He richly deserves this recognition.

 

...

As for Lewis expressing his political views, take note of the views expressed by those objecting, a pattern exists.

 

 

Hardly a long hard journey, he came into F1 by being signed up by McLaren  and winning 21 races with them ,then got signed up by Mercedes. I’m a Hamilton fan but he never started  in a lower team then worked his way up to McLaren and Mercedes .

 

3 hours ago, Henryford said:

They should give the knighthood to Mercedes.

car wouldn't do very well in races without a driver in it. 

1 hour ago, Farma said:

The dailymail got it right.

 

Arise,Sir Tax Exile !

Lewis Hamilton gets a knighthood despite living in Swiss and Monaco havens for 13 years

then how about the late, not so nice Sir Sean Connery, Sir Michael Cain,  Sir Cliff Richard, Sir Elton John, Sir  Anthony Hopkins,  the late great Sir Bruce Forsyth, Sir Mick Jaggar.... I could go on.  All are/were 'tax exiles' living the majority of their lives outside the UK. 

5 hours ago, webfact said:

The knighthood, he added, showed that Hamilton -- often seen as a polarising figure

Yeah how dare Lewis Hamilton have an opinion on institutional racism and still be successful...

Edited December 31, 20205 yr by Bluespunk

2 hours ago, phetphet said:

The Daily Mail newspaper said Prime Minister Boris Johnson had "bent the rules" to get around the tax requirements for domestic awards.

 

Hamilton wasn't on the domestic awards list, but the  “diplomatic and overseas” list.

 

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/dec/30/arise-sir-lewis-hamilton-given-knighthood-in-new-year-honours-list

3 minutes ago, simple1 said:

 

Hamilton wasn't on the domestic awards list, but the  “diplomatic and overseas” list.

 

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/dec/30/arise-sir-lewis-hamilton-given-knighthood-in-new-year-honours-list

Quelle surprise...the daily mail promoting a false narrative once more. 

I dont particularly like him but to be a great sportsperson you do need to have the arrogance and attitude that may rub some the wrong way.

 

He certainly deserves the award for what he has achieved, so hats off to him, well done.

3 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Well done Lewis Hamilton.

 

 

I recall very well his first appearance in Formula 1 racing, not just his clearly evident  talent but the overt racism amongst white F1 followers who really did not like seeing Lewis winning.

 

It had a precedent in Tiger Lewis, where white fans of golf didn’t like seeing him win either.

 

As others have stated, the same is true in soccer but also on the tennis courts.

 

Hamilton has had a long hard journey to the top of his sport, his achievements speak for themselves. He richly deserves this recognition.

 

...

As for Lewis expressing his political views, take note of the views expressed by those objecting, a pattern exists.

 

 

I saw an interview of Willy T Ribbs, (the first black F1 driver) the other week, with Ted Kravitz.

He said that unlike the US, he was welcomed with open arms into F1 in the UK.