HAMILTON KNIGHTHOOD PUT ON HOLD AFTER ANDY MURRAY DECLINES USING HIS TITLE

Formula One World Champion, Lewis Hamilton, might wait a little longer before he will be handed a knighthood due to a new-found Government reluctance to honour active sportsmen.

Due to the famous tennis champion, Andy Murray, who generally declines to being called by his title, there has been a change of outlook among those who bestow honours.

After Hamilton won his seventh Formula One World Championship title in Turkey, a major campaign has been led by the highest ranks of motor racing in Britain to earn Hamilton his knighthood in the next New Year honours. 

Even though his historic win puts him level with Michael Schumacher, he is ahead of the German in terms of race wins and pole positions.

The fight for Hamilton's elevation from an MBE to a knighthood began 12 years ago by the most important figure in British racing – Motorsport UK chairman, David Richards.

Richards contacted Downing Street, making his case as he wrote; "Throughout Lewis's journey to the top, he has walked a lonely path as the only black driver in F1, and the Black Lives Matter movement has allowed him to speak candidly about his experience. He has used his voice, platform and influence to call for positive change. His story is a remarkable one of sheer application, dedication, sacrifice, supreme skill and determination to enter a sport where the odds were stacked immeasurably against him. Lewis is a global icon. A patriot of exemplary character who never misses an opportunity to drape himself in the Union Jack and to exult in his proud Britishness. Lewis is applauded the world over for his achievements in a Formula One car, and it would be entirely right for the UK to recognise his extraordinary achievements by bestowing on him a knighthood, as has been the case for so many other British sportsmen of similar standing."

Richards stated that 35-year-old Hamilton is in the highest 5,000 taxpayers in the UK, despite him living in Monaco.

The ongoing campaign for Hamilton’s knighthood, was signed by former Labour cabinet minister, Lord Hain, and Conservative MPs, Greg Smith and James Sunderland, who also pointed to Hamilton's charitable work for the Make A Wish foundation, Save the Children and UNICEF, and his recent campaigning for inclusivity in a sport where he remains the only black driver.

Hain, Smith and Sunderland also highlighted the Hamilton Commission. His Commission was established by the Stevenage-born champion in order to improve the representation of non-white people in a traditionally white domain.

A spokesperson for the Prime Minister also commented; "What the PM would say is this is an absolutely fantastic achievement by Lewis Hamilton, who has entered the sporting and Formula One history books. Anyone who is considered for an honour undergoes a full series of checks before it is awarded."

Former driver, John Watson, also showed his support towards the campaign and said that; "I would put Lewis's performance in Turkey up in the top rank of wins by a British driver in history, alongside Sir Jackie Stewart at the old Nurburgring in 1968."