HAMILTON IS WORKING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE... WHAT’S NOT TO LIKE?

IT is safe to say Lewis Hamilton will not be losing any sleep over the views of Ally McCoist.

Indeed, it is highly likely the six-time Formula One world champion is not overly familiar with the media work of the wise-cracking ex-footballer.

Hamilton might have once caught ‘Coisty’ on A Question of Sport, but is probably not aware of the former Rangers goal- getter’s insights into sporting characters.

Hamilton was on Ally’s agenda one morning last week.

“I ’ ve got to be brutally honest with you, I’m not his biggest fan. I don’t know what it is about him. I can’t put my finger on it. I can take or leave watching him and listening to him.”

Hardly the most forensic examination of Hamilton’s personality, but, in truth, it is a take you might well have heard in the pub or at work or in your household.

If McCoist had suggested Hamilton was not a national treasure, was not viewed with unqualified admiration by this country’s sport- watching public, he would probably have been right.

As the lovable rogue himself might say on his breakfast show slot, it is hard to put your finger on exactly why McCoist and others are not big fans.

But perhaps it is because Hamilton is just a little too serious, a little too earnest for the liking of some.

He is cer tainly not ‘ knockabout’ in the manner beloved by talk-radio types.

But when Hamilton speaks about this year being special because of his efforts to help create a more diverse, inclusive sport, it is clearly because that means a lot to him.

There is nothing not to like

Hamilton is putting more emphasis on compaigning for matters ‘close to his heart’... he takes responsibility, using his platform and global appeal for good about that. Similarly, when he spoke on Thursday of not feeling comfortable negotiating a new deal when the Covid-19 crisis was causing mass unemployment, it showed someone sensitive to struggles outside his sporting bubble.

There is nothing not to like about that.

McCoist also made reference to Hamilton having a place in America.

And, of course, Hamilton’s main residence is in Monaco.

This page has made many a light-hearted barb about his living arrangements, but Hamilton would no doubt emphasise that every part of his life is tailored to getting the very best out of himself on the track.

It is what all great sporting champions do.

And there is no doubting Hamilton to be the greatest of champions.

Yes, he has been in the best car for a long time, but staying at the very top must take incredible mental resilience and single-mindedness, as well as special talent.

If he wins today’s 70th anniversary Grand Prix at Silverstone, Hamilton ( left, in qualifying) will be within three of Michael Schumacher’s record tally of 91 victories.

He will surely match, and then surpass, Schumacher’s mark of seven drivers’ championships.

In tandem with his recordsetting, Hamilton is putting more and more emphasis on campaigning for matters which are, according to his team boss and close friend Toto Wolff, “close to his heart”.

Hamilton takes responsibility, using his platform and global appeal for good.

Anyone can show an indifference to anyone else, and anyone is allowed to say they are not Hamilton’s biggest fan.

But, to be brutally honest, it is hard to understand why.