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Only 21% Of People Think Lewis Hamilton Should Be Knighted

Only 21% Of People Think Lewis Hamilton Should Be Knighted

Hamilton equalled Michael Schumacher's record of seven world title wins but according to lots of people it isn't enough for a knighthood.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

Lewis Hamilton may have won the Formula One World Championship for the seventh time on Sunday but only 21% of people polled believe he deserves to be knighted.

The Mercedes driver drove an incredible race on the weekend, moving up from sixth place on the grid to take win the Turkish Grand Prix, to secure his latest world title.

His seventh title means he is now equal with Michael Schumacher with the most driver world titles won, having beaten the German's record for most race wins earlier in the season.

There's been debate about whether Hamilton's achievements make him the greatest British sportsperson of all time, however many don't even think he deserves to be knighted.

In a YouGov poll only 21% of the 3067 people asked believe the 35-year-old should be honoured by the Queen, with 46% saying he doesn't deserve it.

Sunday's race was one of the driver's most impressive wins as he had to fight his way through to get into a position to even be on the podium.

The surface had been causing issues with its slippyness all week but rain made it even more difficult, as it had in qualifying, and the Mercedes car was struggling to find enough grip.

However as the track dried Hamilton was able to get more from his ageing intermediate tyres than anyone else and didn't need a second stop, though by the time the race finished he had a spare pit stop if he wanted.

Whilst other sports stars have been knighted whilst still active in their careers for lesser achievements it seems mad that the Stevenage born racer is yet to be given the honor.

The likes of Andy Murray and Mo Farah have done incredible things to earn their knighthoods but Hamilton has become probably the best F1 driver of all time.

Only seven men have been knighted for their services to motorsport, with the most recent being Sir Patrick Head in 2015, though his was for engeneering.

The last driver to be honoured was Sir Jackie Stewart in 2001, nearly 30 years after he retired as a driver.

Hamilton has been totally unrivaled this year. His Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas won the first race of the season in the Austrian Grand Prix but it has been almost plain sailing from there for Lewis.

The former McLaren driver won the Styrian, Hungarian and British Grand Prixs before Red Bull's Max Verstappen halted his procession at the 70th Anniversary Grand Prix.

Hamilton won in Spain and Belgium before a mistake by the team saw the Brit miss out at the Italian GP following a red flag, with Pierre Gasly the surprise winner.

Lewis was back in the wins at the Tuscan GP before Bottas got his second win at the Russian race. However Lewis has now won the last four races to take the title with three races to go.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics:ย Formula One, Mercedes, Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton, Michael Schumacher, F1