Toto: UK should be proud of Lewis

MERCEDES boss Toto Wolff says the UK should feel proud to have a ‘champion and ambassador of the calibre of Sir Lewis Hamilton’ after the Formula One driver was awarded a knighthood.

Hamilton has been recognised in the New Year Honours list following a record-breaking year in which he eclipsed Michael Schumacher’s victory tally and emulated the German by winning a seventh world title.

The 35-year-old, who was also voted the BBC’s Sport Personality of the Year, is the fourth F1 driver to receive the accolade - following in the footsteps of Sir Jack Brabham, Sir Stirling Moss and Sir Jackie Stewart - and the first to be awarded the honour while still competing.

Austrian Wolff, 48, has overseen Hamilton’s success at Mercedes following the Briton’s move from McLaren in 2013. Hamilton has won six of his seven titles with the sport’s all-conquering team.

“Lewis is one of the very greatest racing drivers of all time and the most successful British sportsperson of his era,” said Wolff.

“Around the world, he has long been recognised for his sporting achievement and, this year, he combined his excellence on the track with a powerful voice to fight discrimination.

“In every sense, he led the way in 2020.

“The news that he is to receive a knighthood shows that he is now receiving the recognition he has earned during a career of unparalleled success in motorsport.

“The UK can be very proud to have a champion and ambassador of the calibre of Sir Lewis Hamilton.”