Lewis Hamilton 'Disrespected' As Britain's 'Greatest Ever Athlete'

Lewis Hamilton has been named the greatest British athlete, with claims that the public don't respect the Formula One star enough.

Hamilton is a seven time world champion, equaling Michael Schumacher's record when he won the driver's world title in 2020, and is considered by many the greatest F1 driver.

Last weekend, the Mercedes driver was in action on home tarmac in the British Grand Prix, at Silverstone, a race marred by Zhou Guanyu's horrifying crash and protestors on the track.

Whilst the crowd at Silverstone were willing Hamilton on, the 37-year-old isn't uniververally loved still, despite his obvious brilliance in the car.

Former England winger Trevor Sinclair has claimed that the former McLaren driver is Britain's greatest athlete and said that Hamilton doesn't get enough respect, often because of his views.

😡 “The disrespect Sir Lewis Hamilton still gets…we should appreciate him!”

👏 “What Hamilton has achieved in the sport of #F1 should get more credit!”

🇬🇧 “The 𝗕𝗘𝗦𝗧 British athlete ever!”@Trevor8Sinclair believes @LewisHamilton could be the best British athlete ever 🔥 pic.twitter.com/EYSo9YpiU5

— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) July 8, 2022

Hamilton is very outspoken when it comes to equality and the environment and, as Sinclair points out, people often think he's a hypocrite when it comes to the environment.

He does drive in F1 so there is some basis to those who criticise him but he's still trying to do something about the issue and the sport continues to try and improve on the topic.

Some will argue that being a racing driver means that he isn't an 'athlete' with arguments in the past that it isn't a sport, due to technology being a key factor in who is the fastest.

Hamilton is undoubtedly as fit, if not fitter, than many who compete in other major sports and Formula One drivers are definitely athletes.

It's rare that any British athlete can make claim to be the greatest ever in their sport, but that is the case for Hamilton, who is alongside the likes of Schumacher, Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost, and was voted number one recently.

It has not been a good season for Hamilton, with his Mercedes team struggling for much of the year, and often finishing behind new teammate George Russell.

Last weekend might have been his best chance of winning, as he was in third place and had much fresher tyres than those around him.

A safety car late in the race bunched everyone up and allowed his rivals to put new tyres in, though he was still able to finish third after some thrilling racing.

Off the track he has once again had to deal with controversy and racism, with F1's all time top race winner calling on people to stop giving the likes of Bernie Ecclestone and Nelson Piquet time to give their old fashioned views.