Seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton will be knighted at Windsor Castle on Wednesday, just days after causing controversy lose the 2021 championship to Max Verstappen.
Hamilton, 36 years old, is named on the Queen’s Honor List after winning his seventh championship last year, taking him to an all-time level with Michael Schumacher.
The Briton, who was awarded an MBE in 2009, a year after winning his first championship, has won more races and scored more pole positions than any other F1 driver in history.
Hamilton was denied a record eighth title on Sunday after a season-long battle with Dutch driver Verstappen, who made it to the final lap of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Lewis, you dropped this pic.twitter.com/a0eI6ZkQIo
– ESPN F1 (@ESPNF1) December 13, 2021
A Late Safety Car and a restart on the final lap brought victory – and title – to Verstappen.
After the race, after hugging Verstappen and congratulating him, Hamilton did not speak to the media when his team, Mercedes, protested the results with the sport’s governing body, the FIA.
Hamilton is likely to face the press on his first day as Sir, as he will attend the season-end FIA Awards Gala on Thursday.
Traditionally, the top three finishers in the championship will attend, and Hamilton is expected to attend alongside outgoing teammate Valtteri Bottas, who finished third in the championship.
