The rider’s title – which means he will be formally known as Sir Lewis Hamilton – was awarded at the end of a year that saw him match Michael Schumacher’s record of seven titles in the F1 World Championship and beat the race winning count of the German.
He also undertook a campaign to increase diversity in sport and often spoke out against racism in society, although the honor is for his services to motor sports. This is exactly 12 years after Hamilton, after his first World Championship title, became a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for services to motorsport.
Hamilton is the third F1 World Champion to receive the title of rider, following Jack Brabham (in 1978) and Jackie Stewart (2001), while the tribute also went to Stirling Moss (2000). However, Hamilton is the first to earn this status while still an active driver.
In addition, terrestrial speed record drivers and breakers Henry Segrave (1929) and Malcolm Campbell (1931) were both appointed riders before World War II.
In addition to the drivers, Williams F1 team founders Frank Williams and Patrick Head also received the title of rider in 1999 and 2015, respectively.
Hamilton was awarded the title of knight at the age of 35, although he is not the youngest sportsman to be recognized in the modern era. Tennis star Andy Murray was 29 years old when he was named on the 2017 New Year homage list after his second Wimbledon victory, while cyclists Bradley Wiggins and Chris Hoy were 32. Sailor Ellen MacArthur was 28 when she was nominated lady, the equivalent of a knight’s title, in 2005.
F1’s new CEO Stefano Domenicali, who officially started work in January, paid tribute to Hamilton.
“Lewis is a true giant of our sport and his influence is huge in and out of a car,” said Domenicali. “What he has achieved is phenomenal and there is more to come.
“All of us at F1 congratulate him for this deserved recognition for his achievements and we hope to see more of his brilliance in 2021.”
Mercedes-Benz AMG F1 team boss Toto Wolff commented, “Lewis is one of the greatest racing drivers of all time and the most successful British sportsman of his time. Worldwide, he has long been recognized for his sporting achievements, this year he combined his excellence on the track with a powerful voice to fight discrimination, in every sense he led the way in 2020.
“The news that he is going to receive the title of rider shows that he is now receiving the recognition that he achieved during a career of incomparable success in motorsport. The UK can be very proud to have a champion and ambassador of Sir Lewis Hamilton’s caliber. “
Lewis Hamilton, 2008 FIA Formula 1 World Champion, and Ferrari Team Winning Constructor Stefano Domenicali
Photo by: FIA
Earlier this month, Hamilton received recognition from the British public by being voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year for the second time, having previously won the prestigious award in 2014.
He also won the 2020 Laureus World Sports Award for Sportsman of the Year, sharing it with soccer player Lionel Messi.
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