Knighthood ‘not on my mind’ – Hamilton

Newly crowned five-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton says he isn’t giving a single thought to the prospect of a Knighthood as he revels in his 2018 title feat.

Having already become the most successful British F1 driver of all time after clinching his fourth world crown last year, Hamilton repeated the triumph at the same venue 12 months on by sealing the drivers’ championship with two races to spare.

Hamilton’s fourth place was enough to see off arch title rival Sebastian Vettel, who finished runner-up to Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in the Mexican Grand Prix, leading to the British driver being celebrated as one of the greatest F1 drivers of all time.

After drawing level with Juan Manuel Fangio on five titles, two behind all-time leader Michael Schumacher, Hamilton was quizzed on the prospect of receiving a Knighthood but played down the talk preferring to focus on his F1 achievements.

“Honestly that is really not something that is on my mind, and not something I’m even contemplating,” Hamilton said.

“I’ve been very fortunately and very grateful to have met the Queen on a couple of occasions, which I’m just grateful for.

“I’m very proud, I don’t know if you notice that sometimes, when I’m on the podium I look back and see the Union Jack and I’m very proud to raise that flag, and which I’ll continue to do so. And hopefully try to make more and more Brits proud.

“At the moment, a German has the most titles but I think I’m quite grateful and quite proud of the ones that we have as Brits and yeah, going to continue to try to raise the game.”

Hamilton received an MBE in 2009 following his maiden F1 world title in 2008.

Just one British F1 driver has received a Knighthood, three-time world champion Sir Jackie Stewart, for his F1 success and as a leading voice in increasing safety standards in the sport.