Hamilton in line for top award

FOR the second successive season Lewis Hamilton has won Formula One’s world championship to set a recordbreaking four victories.

However, Hamilton is not guaranteed to receive a knighthood in the New Year’s honours. He has beaten Sir Jackie Stewart’s 44-year-old record, but he had to wait 40 years for his honour! The other motor racing knights are Sir Stirling Moss, and Sir Jack Brabham.

The top gong is in Hamilton’s sights but if he receives it, says he’ll make everyone use “Sir” at all times. Tennis ace Sir Andy Murray only wants to be known as Andy when competing.

Hamilton missed out on the top honour after winning his third title in 2015, but was awarded the MBE following his first world win in 2009.

Closer to home, Jim Clark from Berwickshire, who won world titles in 1962 and 1968 didn’t receive a knighthood. Clark, at 32, ironically the same age as Hamilton, was tragically killed following a horrific crash in Germany. I was particularly sad having followed his fortunes on race tracks throughout the world. He had won more Formula One titles (28) than any other driver, and being at the peak of his career may have gone on to set an unassailable record.

Whether it will be “Sir Lewis” in 2018 is open to debate, but I bet he’ll again be in the frame for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year. He first won the award in 2014. Hamilton now has the world at his feet, or at least with the powerful pedals of his magnificent Mercedes! Here’s to him being on track again in 2018.

CHRIS ROBINSON, Gosforth