seven-time formula 1 world champion lewis hamilton has been awarded knighthood by the british royal family on wednesday, according to a tweet published by officials.
the 36-year-old briton received the honor from prince charles at windsor castle just days after suffering a controversial defeat in the 2021 formula 1 championship, losing the title on the last lap of the abu dhabi grand prix to max verstappen. hamilton is expected to appear at the fia's annual end-of-year gala in paris to receive f1's runner-up trophy on thursday, according to motorsport.com.
while stewards rejected mercedes's post-race protest of race director michael masi's handling of the last few laps at abu dhabi, the team has yet to decide whether to go ahead with an appeal that would attempt to overturn the championship, according to bbc sport. the team has until 12:00 p.m. est thursday to make that decision.
hamilton isn't the first f1 champ to be knighted. sir jack brabham received the title back in 1978, over a decade after his last f1 championship win. there's also sir jackie stewart, who was knighted in 2001. hamilton, however, becomes the first active f1 driver to be knighted.
from: road & track