HAMILTON SET TO BE KNIGHTED IN NEW YEAR HONOURS

Lewis Hamilton is set to be knighted after he gets his name in this year’s New Year’s Honours list.

Having discussed often in the last few years, Mercedes’ Hamilton is set to be knighted and named as ‘Sir Lewis Hamilton’ going forward as per The Sun’s report. The British F1 racer is to feature in this year’s New Year’s Honours list.

Daily Mail reports that Lewis Hamilton will be knighted after Boris Johnson allegedly intervened to place him on the ‘Diplomatic and Overseas List’.

According to Daily Mail, the only obstacle that stood in the way of Hamilton being knighted was his tax status. More precisely, the Briton has had a permanent residence outside of the UK since 2007, which means HM Revenue and Customs weren’t able to “adequately vet his tax affairs”.

According to the report, this was bypassed by UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson by placing Hamilton on the ‘Diplomatic and Overseas List’. Lord Peter Hain has previously written to Downing Street with evidence that Hamilton is among the top 5,000 UK taxpayers.

There is no doubt that as the most successful driver in the history of Formula 1 and arguably the most successful UK sports person in history, Lewis Hamilton is deserving of a knighthood. Back in 2008, after his first world title, Lewis has been awarded the MBE.

If the report by the Daily Mail is correct, and it appears to be, Lewis will become the fourth Formula 1 driver to be knighted, alongside Sir Jack Brabham, Sir Stirling Moss and Sir Jackie Stewart.

Hamilton previously received an MBE from the Queen at Buckingham Palace in 2009 after claiming his first title. But despite his run of success with Mercedes in the intervening decade, Hamilton has since been overlooked.

Questions about his tax status for a long time appeared to have put a block on Hamilton receiving any further honours.

But following measures including the sale of his private plane, The Sun newspaper states that the Government’s Honours Committee has now concluded that his affairs are “all in order”.

If the reports are confirmed it means that Hamilton will receive the knighthood in the New Years Honours.

“This is an honour that has eluded Lewis for so many years,” a friend of Hamilton’s is reported as telling the tabloid. “It marks an incredible end to the most wonderful season.”

HAMILTON SET TO BE KNIGHTED IN NEW YEAR HONOURS HAMILTON SET TO BE KNIGHTED IN NEW YEAR HONOURS

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