SIR...Lewis Hamilton......deserved or not?

[chrishornx]

Does he deserve it?

just curious at what the consensus will be on here .....

[Kev40ish]

Does he deserve it?

just curious at what the consensus will be on here .....

I don’t like him tbh.. but looking at the other sports people knighted he has certainly earned it, or maybe it the car that should be knighted...

[Liverpool]

As a driver he's at the top of his game. Sure, he may have the best car, but he's still got to get it round the track.

As a high profile man of colour in a predominantly white setting, he has lent his voice and the privilege of his position to causes and has spoken out against human rights abuses in Middle Eastern countries where F1 race.

So, yes he's worthy of a knighthood. My only issue, and this goes for all sports people, is they should be honoured once they have retired.

[ratedj]

Without question. Lewis is the greatest driver of his generation, and by the time he eventually retires he will own every meaningful record in the sport. Is he one of the five greatest drivers in F1 history? Yes. Is he one of the top three? Most likely. Is he the greatest of all time? That is, and always will be a subjective matter. However, the fact that he will always be in the discussion is a testament to his achievements.

[Markus]

Absolute numpty stuck up his own backside but most top athletes are. He definitely has achieved so much in his career and for that, he has his own name in history. 

Someone who does there best to avoid paying tax in this country by moving to Monaco and end up on with a knighthood is a discussion for another day. Why do I call him a numpty?

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Trying to sue a luxury watch brand that has been around since 1892 because they share the same surname.  What an idiot. Glad the judge had common sense in this case and through out his application. These honours list rarely recognise the right people anyhow. What the f has Craig David ever done for society?

[mister softee]

Yes. You can argue about how the records compare given there are more races each year and he's always been in a race-winning car (Schumacher won his 91st race in fewer starts than Hamilton, despite being in a few dogs) but he is an exceptionally good F1 driver and he's used his public position to try to achieve positive benefits. I think that second part matters these days.

Of course, Mercedes could save themselves £25m by signing George from Williams and would still win both championships 

[Waterhouse]

Personally I think he’s an underserving tosser - can’t stand the bloke.  F1 is not the same game as it was back in the days of Hunt, Senna, Shumacher and Lauda when it was actually thrilling and required a hell of a lot more skill and guts than it does today - and without all the PC gone mad and political bollox which surrounds a lot of the sporting world today. Just another example of how easily Honours get dished out and devalued year after year, and how meaningless they can often be in some cases IMO.

[george r]

A great driver but a tax exile so it's a no from me, but even worse is when soap actors get them ? Just for doing their jobs ?

[Charlie Chalk]

A tax-dodging, lying hypocrite? No, he certainly doesn’t deserve it. Odious, pretentious, cretinous individual.

[j_181]

Lewis is the greatest driver of his generation

Is he, or did he have the best car? Hard to tease apart. Personally I think there should be no teams in F1, and they should all have to drive in the same car.

[Jumping Jack Flash]

I’m not a motorsport fan, however from the outside looking in then it look a well deserved award.

[maxxblue]

His arrest for showing off to fans in Australia for wheelspinning on a public road confirmed for me what an arsehole I already thought he was. His car was impounded, apparently not for the first time; his car was reportedly impounded in France after driving 121mph on the motorway:

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[cideruk]

Definitely not

George Russell proved it's just the car superiority
Not fit to lace Clark's or Senna's boots

[Milfman1112]

Is he, or did he have the best car? Hard to tease apart. Personally I think there should be no teams in F1, and they should all have to drive in the same car.

Nail on the head....
Just to add,
He is so far up his own arse and now he is a sir that will only get worse,
And as for the whole BLM thing.

[mr.bluesky]

He's a marmite sort of person, you either love him or hate him. He does come over as being a bit of a prat at times but there is no doubt he's probably the greatest f1 driver of the modern era. Yes he has the best car but so did Schumacher at Benetton & Ferrari or Vetell at RedBull when they won their world titles. All winning drivers need good cars so yes he does deserve his knighthood. More derserving than a lot of politicians or acting luvies and other sportsman who get given awards. So what he lives in Monaco for tax reasons but then so do a lot of f1 drivers . Sean Connery was given a knighthood and he lived in the Bahamas . Even if they all drove the same car Hamilton would still win the majority of races. Bottas has the same car but cannot beat him on a regular basis. The best drivers get to drive the best cars simply because they are the best .

[electro]

I think it's too early for him to be getting a knighthood clearly he is a great driver but in general these days they seem to dish out knighthoods etc like confetti.

Personally I used to like Lewis but nowadays I think he's gone way too political i.e. banging on about veganism and climate change while swanning about in his private jet

[hermanmunster]

I feel that compared to others he undoubtedly deserves it. However, I prefer to see sport stars recognised at the end of their careers - they seem to gain more of a legendary status once you have lost them as a performer (when you begin to realise that you were lucky to have had them, and probably took them for granted).  He will be a true great and will be the benchmark for others.

One thing that does frustrate me about Lewis Hamilton (and others) is the manipulation of their sport to make a political statement (often the race card).  He is a famous person and can of course does much good by using his voice to encourage others - but please, not on the podium of a F1 presentation ceremony.  I wouldn't want Boris Johnson bleating on about how fantastic Arsenal are and how he hates Tottenham in the middle of one of his daily briefings (I know that is not the best comparison, but makes my point).

[hermanmunster]

Sean Connery was given a knighthood and he lived in the Bahamas. Even if they all drove the same car Hamilton would still win the majority of races. Bottas has the same car but cannot beat him on a regular basis. The best drivers get to drive the best cars simply because they are the best .

Celebrities can be good for their country wherever they live - although it would be nice for him to be a UK tax payer?

Other drivers state openly that Hamilton is the best driver.

Tony Not allowedwas a good jockey but ALWAYS rode one of the favourites.

[Jimmyredcab]

He has become wealthy doing something that he obviously loves and is a tax exile in Monaco so I fail to see why he gets a knighthood.

The same could be said for many others, such as Richard Branson and Philip Green.

[ratedj]

Is he, or did he have the best car? Hard to tease apart. Personally I think there should be no teams in F1, and they should all have to drive in the same car.

To answer your question, whilst Mercedes are the current standard bearer in the sport that takes nothing away from his brilliance. Senna, Schumacher, Prost, Mansell and Vettel all had the best cars at points in their careers. There will always be a correlation between the best drivers finding themselves in the best cars, but it's what they do once they get there that really sets them apart. In an effort to debug this myth, it's also worth noting that in 2018 there was a general consensus that over the course of the entire season the Ferrari was a better car than the Mercedes, though Hamilton and Mercedes did a much better job than Vettel and Ferrari. Pinpointing the Turkish GP from this season, Hamilton won that race not becasue he had the best car but becasue he was able to produce a masterful drive whereby he stayed out on used intermediates whilst everyone around him came in for fresh tyres. By the end of that race he was lapping faster than those who had pitted more recently. Only talent can produce such drives. You will be hard-pressed to find anyone within the sport who is not of the view that Hamilton is the best driver of his generation. 

As for your view that there should be no teams in F1, if you have no manufactures/teams then you have no F1. Different manufactures have always been a part of the fabric of the sport. It is hoped that the new rules in 2022 will see the emphasis shift from aerodynamic grip to mechanical grip, thus resulting in more of a 'human dependency' on te drivers. However, the cream will still rise to the top. 

[Londonpunter30]

As a high profile man of colour in a predominantly white setting, he has lent his voice and the privilege of his position to causes and has spoken out against human rights abuses in Middle Eastern countries where F1 race.

Has he though ?  Can’t remember any quotes about issues in Bahrain, Azerbaijan, Russian etc.

Yes, he’s always had the best car, but the same can be said of Fangio.  The best drivers always end up in the best cars.  The Lotus Clark won his titles in was the class of its field.  McLaren won 15 out of 16 in 88, does that dilute that championship?

It’s a team sport and they are based in England, Pete Bonnington and others should be awarded too

[daviemac]

Has he though ?  Can’t remember any quotes about issues in Bahrain, Azerbaijan, Russian etc.

Yes, he’s always had the best car, but the same can be said of Fangio.  The best drivers always end up in the best cars.  The Lotus Clark won his titles in was the class of its field.  McLaren won 15 out of 16 in 88, does that dilute that championship?

It’s a team sport and they are based in England, Pete Bonnington and others should be awarded too

Mercedes F1 engines are manufactured in Northamptonshire as well. Racing Point and, from next season, McLaren also use Mercedes engines. Whilst Hamilton might be a tax exile his team are firmly based in this country.

If it was just the car that made the difference how come his team mate is so far behind.   

[advent2016]

I'd say yes. He is a good role model another IMHO who should is Marcus Rashford

[The0neAnd0nly]

Agree with the points about a) he deserves it for his sporting achievements but b) honours should be awarded at the end of careers and indeed c) generally he does come across as a bit of a tosser

That being said he is probably the most gifted driver I've ever seen. Separating how I feel about him as a person to a driver, his skills cannot be denied

That being said I cant believe Ronnie O'Sullivan didn't win SPOTY. Another supremely gifted individual winning world champions at 46 (I think he was)

[Adoniron]

A lot of people who are less deserving than him have been honoured.

[Corus Boy]

I have no problems with the award but it has made me think that the rate of inflation with awards is skyrocketing!

Most people used to stat on the Awards ladder with a MBE or OBE, but it seems that a knighthood is now the entry level for 'celebrity' types and the OBE, MBE is reserved for general members of the public who have given many years of dedicated to a cause!

[Jimmyredcab]

A lot of people who are less deserving than him have been honoured.

Quite right, which shows that the system has major flaws. 

[Liverpool]

Has he though ?  Can’t remember any quotes about issues in Bahrain, Azerbaijan, Russian etc.

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[Blackpool Rock]

I have no problems with the award but it has made me think that the rate of inflation with awards is skyrocketing!

Most people used to stat on the Awards ladder with a MBE or OBE, but it seems that a knighthood is now the entry level for 'celebrity' types and the OBE, MBE is reserved for general members of the public who have given many years of dedicated to a cause!

Yes you could be right that us Serfs still only get onto the bottom rung but I believe they are now recognising more and more grass root people who actually do some good in their community which is a good thing IMHO.

From the Govt link below - The majority of awards are for the contributions people have made in their communities. Of those receiving an award, 65% are recognised for their community work.
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I do think that sports people should get them after they have retired however I also think it's good to award them while they are still active as surely these are the positive role models we should be hoping our young people try to emulate and follow
Marcus Rashford getting an MBE in the recent Birthday honours was good to see and the lad seems to have a old head on his shoulders, hopefully he keeps doing the good work and doesn't start getting political though that's how many seem to end up going when they get older and "Household" names

Who deserves to get a mention and who doesn't will always be open for debate, not sure about everyone but I believe a lot of those awarded have to be nominated rather than there being a panel of people scouring the country looking for them.

I was with family recently and Captain Tom was on the news yet again, think it was in relation to a mention about him getting a Knighthood back in May but someone commented about him just being a "Privileged rich cunt anyway" and why should he have got an honour 
Well yes you only have to look at the house and gardens to know he's got plenty of wedge but then again people took to the cause and it's great that he's raised so much money.
It's always going to be a matter of opinion I guess as to whether Tom deserves it more or less than Doris from Oldham handing out food parcels
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One thing I can't stand which seemed to appear about 10 years ago is the trend for people on TV stating that they think someone should be getting an honour and I find it totally cringeworthy 
If you think they should get an award then just nominate them in the correct way rather than doing it on live TV while stood next to them, it's not your fucking place to try and influence the decision 
The one I first noticed was during the 2012 Olympics and some female swimmer kept piping up about how they thought Rebecca Adlington should be made a Dame

[Kriss_De_Valnor_]

People of sport shouldn't be awarded with knighthood.

Who will be the next? May? Hammond? Clarkson?

Knighthood is so downgraded in these days i would be proud to refuse it.

[dubs]

People moan about his tax status but he is still within the top 5000 tax payers in the uk.

[Adoniron]

I have no problems with the award but it has made me think that the rate of inflation with awards is skyrocketing!

Most people used to stat on the Awards ladder with a MBE or OBE, but it seems that a knighthood is now the entry level for 'celebrity' types and the OBE, MBE is reserved for general members of the public who have given many years of dedicated to a cause!

It seemed that Knighthoods always used to be reserved for career civil servants, long serving MPs and political party donors. I don't have a problem with them being given to individuals whom people have actually heard of.

[hullad]

Does he deserve ?

Looking at his record to date. Yes he does but should he have got it .......NO

He could be such a role model for black and ethnic people,most despise him. He has a problem being British and prefers the richer uplands of tax haven Switzerland. Fair enough I take the view similar to the USA who tax there citizens regardless of where they live.

I think he has little charisma or personality from what I have seen, there are far more deserving cases like captain Tom.

Rob Burrows or Marcus Rashford

[hermanmunster]

That being said I cant believe Ronnie O'Sullivan didn't win SPOTY. Another supremely gifted individual winning world champions at 46 (I think he was)

I think SPOTY would lose all credibility if O'Sullivan had won.  He is an extremely talented player, but has anyone ever shown such disdain for the sport they make their money from, their opponents and the audience/spectators?

[Shearer1955]

Should he have been knighted ... difficult to give a definitive answer because he is a tax exile & his racing achievements have been in the best car by far which unquestionably is a major advantage
What I define as true greatness is how they drive in proper Wet weather conditions & in that regard he is up there amongst the elite
Look at the names of drivers whose achievements are acclaimed not only because of their sublime racing ability but because of what they could do in the wet ... Jim Clark - exceptional; Senna - brilliant ; Schumacher - towered above his rivals & Hamilton by far the best driver of todays era when its lashing down
The superiority of any car is mitigated in the wet and it comes down to the drivers ability ... the above have demonstrated that inate mastery of a car when its been required most

[hermanmunster]

I'd say yes. He is a good role model another IMHO who should is Marcus Rashford

But it wasn't that long ago that Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard had video posts on social media where they were acting like real obnoxious brats and bragging about the amount of money they had.  I think that if he slipped back into that life we would all be regretting awarding him a knighthood too soon?

[Corus Boy]

Quite right, which shows that the system has major flaws. 

Flaws it may have but it was in generally fair and well organised when I was involved on a periphery.

Anyone can nominate any person for an award.  The nomination has to come with a citation and suppoting evidence, and I believe a number of seconders.

Then the process begins, and it used to be that any leakage of the notice of nomination for the award or attempts to boost the candidates application led to an immediate disqualification.

The awards body then evaluates the value of the nomination.

If approved the recepient is then approached and asked if they wish to accept!  Many do not and with refusal comes a requirement from all involved is that it is as if the application never existed.

If accepted there is a veil of secrecy until the official announcements, again leakage can lead to withdrawal of the award.

So you can see that there is plenty of scope for anyone to be nominated, if someone feels strongly enough to do the legwork and follow it through.

There is also a lot of scope, especially in this age of Social Media fo the nomination to go wrong.

And still more opportunities for someone who you feel deserves award to retreat into obscurity leaving people who think that they deserve an award believing that the object of their admiration has been overlooked!

[RedKettle]

He has become wealthy doing something that he obviously loves and is a tax exile in Monaco so I fail to see why he gets a knighthood.

The same could be said for many others, such as Richard Branson and Philip Green.

Rarely agree with you on tax issues but with you 100% on this one. He is perfectly free to go and live offshore to save tax but if he opts out of supporting the U.K. why the hell do we give him an honour?

[Coriniumstud]

Yes especially when you see some of the other’s that have been knighted
Nick Clegg
Rod Stewart
Bono
Rolf Harris
Jimmy Saville

[David1970]

Knighted for services to tax evasion?

[dubs]

He has a problem being British and prefers the richer uplands of tax haven Switzerland. Fair enough I take the view similar to the USA who tax there citizens regardless of where they live.

I think he has little charisma or personality from what I have seen, there are far more deserving cases like captain Tom.

Rob Burrows or Marcus Rashford

Yeah, he definitely has a problem being British


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And BTW, he lives in Monaco not Switzerland, BAME people love him, and Captain Tom has already been knighted.  But apart from that.. great post.

[Squire Haggard]

I'm sick of seeing honours being given to wealthy tax evaders. Long ago, I had a 'boss' that was a total cunt. He's now got an MBE.  I know of another well known Scottish MBE holder that almost certainly was involved in serious criminal activity. Two cunts, two MBEs.

It's time for the peasants to revolt. 

[Hobbit]

No! Certainly not deserved. What has he done that so great for society or the world? All he has done is driven a car around a track many times for several years and ended up being first. Does that really deserve a knighthood? I don't think so.

And don't get me started on his desire for equality. His interest in the Black Lives Matters movement has been nothing but a publicity stunt. Because before then, where was he preaching for equality and demonstrating for the rights for black people? He wasn't to be seen anywhere. So in my opinion, it is just a publicity stunt to become more liked by the public.

[Blackpool Rock]

I'm sick of seeing honours being given to wealthy tax evaders. Long ago, I had a 'boss' that was a total cunt. He's now got an MBE.  I know of another well known Scottish MBE holder that almost certainly was involved in serious criminal activity.

It's time for the peasants to revolt. 

Yeah but most of the Wealthy / Elite who didn't get the money recently through sport basically got it a few generation back from thieving, but once you already have the money you have power and influence then make your business "legit" and become an upstanding pillar of the community beyond reproach and protected by your other rich / powerful / connected mates who pull strings and turn a blind eye as and when required.

When I was a teen I had a summer job in a town which was mostly owned by 1 family, one of the sons about my age idolised his Grandad who was long dead and continually told the story about how his Grandad worked his backside off from nothing to build a business then his dad in turn took up the reins.
What I never said was the story my Gran often told about how everyone knew he was a crook and thief who made his money on the black market during the war, she refused to shop in any of their stores.
A few bribes in the right place which was easy years ago and before you know it they were calling the shots and running the town council with business decisions etc all strangely benefitting them

[Londonpunter30]

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Thanks for the link.  He’s certainly less vocal on this subject than he is with BLM.  Having said that no other drivers speak up either, so he’s a step ahead than most.

[Squire Haggard]

Yeah but most of the Wealthy / Elite who didn't get the money recently through sport basically got it a few generation back from thieving, but once you already have the money you have power and influence then make your business "legit" and become an upstanding pillar of the community beyond reproach and protected by your other rich / powerful / connected mates who pull strings and turn a blind eye as and when required.

When I was a teen I had a summer job in a town which was mostly owned by 1 family, one of the sons about my age idolised his Grandad who was long dead and continually told the story about how his Grandad worked his backside off from nothing to build a business then his dad in turn took up the reins.
What I never said was the story my Gran often told about how everyone knew he was a crook and thief who made his money on the black market during the war, she refused to shop in any of their stores.
A few bribes in the right place which was easy years ago and before you know it they were calling the shots and running the town council with business decisions etc all strangely benefitting them

Stores again, a coincidence. 

The well known MBE holder that I mentioned above almost certainly burned down two rival businesses shortly after he opened a branch of his own nearby. Its time to stop this archaic nonsense.

[chrishornx]

Does he deserve ?
.

I think he has little charisma or personality from what I have seen, there are far more deserving cases like captain Tom.

Captain Tom is a Sir

[g284]

*cough*

*unsends email*

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[Lou2019]

The boy has done good especially in a white dominated sport. Personally I think he is a good role model for young black men.

[Jimmyredcab]

The boy has done good especially in a white dominated sport. Personally I think he is a good role model for young black men.

For anyone who doesn’t know, his Mother is White.     


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