Arise Sir Lewis Hamilton! F1 World Champion in Queen's New Year Honours list

It's official. Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton has been knighted in the Queen's New Year Honours list. The British driver secured his seventh F1 World Championship in 2020, putting him level with Michael Schumacher. Hamilton took many records on the track in 2020, while his work off the track has been focused upon more than ever before. 

Queen's New Years Honours List 2020

In 2020, the British driver statistically became the greatest Formula 1 driver of all time. The 35-year-old equalled Schumacher's F1 career win record after victory in October's Eifel Grand Prix. He went on to achieve his 92nd victory in the Portuguese Grand Prix later that month. Hamilton is closing in on his 100th pole position, and also has the record for the number of podiums in F1. 

The Mercedes driver battled COVID-19 in the final weeks of the season and was therefore forced to miss his first Grand Prix since making his debut in March 2007. He is yet to announce a contract extension for the 2021 F1 season. 

As well as winning a seventh world championship and taking Michael Schumacher's F1 career win record in 2020, Hamilton has played a key role in the Black Lives Matter movement and is fighting for further equality and diversity within Formula 1 and around the world. 

The fourth F1 driver to be knighted

The Mercedes driver becomes the fourth F1 driver to be knighted. He follows in the footsteps of Sir Stirling Moss, Sir Jackie Stewart and Sir Jack Brabham.