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Sir Jackie Stewart says Lewis Hamilton “certainly deserves” to be knighted, as he is now “seriously top-line sportsman in the world”.
Stewart, who was knighted in 2001, recently came under fire for his comments regarding Lewis Hamilton’s place among the all-time greats. However, after the Briton won his seventh world championship, Stewart was among the first to call for his knighthood.
“I’ve been privileged to get a knighthood myself and it took me a wee while apparently to get a knighthood in comparison because I was retired from motor racing by the time my knighthood came along,” Stewart said to Sky Sports F1.
“But certainly Lewis deserves it. He’s now a seriously top-line sportsman in the world and that’s a wonderful thing to have, and the fact that he is British is the most important thing of all, with regards to the knighthood is concerned.
“I think he certainly deserves it,” concluded Stewart.
After winning the 2020 title, Lewis himself talked about the prospects of being knighted.
“Every year we talk about this and I naturally get the questions and I don’t really have anything different to say, compared to before,” said the Briton.
“I think when I think about that honour, I think about people like my grandad who served in the war, I think about Sir Captain Tom who got knighted and waited a hundred years for that incredible honour.
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“The people that are running hospitals, the nurses and doctors who are saving lives during the hardest time ever.
“I think about those unsung heroes and I don’t look at myself as an unsung hero. I’ve not saved anybody. It is an incredible honour that a small group of people have had bestowed upon them.
“All I can say is that standing today, and hearing the national anthem I’m very, very proud. I am a very proud Brit and that, as I said before, this really is like the most special moment to be able to represent… to be up there representing a nation.
“Having the flag over your head, over number one, that is such an incredible honour, that’s really all I have to say about it,” said the seven-time champion.
It’s important to note that the Royal Family congratulated Lewis on his accomplishment on their social media channels.
Congratulations to record-equalling seven-time F1 World Championship title winner Lewis Hamilton,” read the statement.
“Along with a record number of race wins, what an incredible achievement!”
Hamilton was quick to reply: “What an incredible honour. Thank you so much,” wrote the Briton.
