Lewis Hamilton knighted

17 Dec, 2021 - 00:12 0 Views
Lewis Hamilton knighted Lewis Hamilton has been knighted at Windsor Castle — PA

eBusiness Weekly

Lewis Hamilton — named in the 2021 New Year Honours list — was denied a record-breaking eighth Formula 1 world title on Sunday after a controversial decision from race director Michael Masi saw him beaten by Max Verstappen on the final lap of Sunday’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Sir Lewis Hamilton has been knighted in recognition of a glittering career in Formula 1 just days after he controversially lost out on a record eighth title.

Hamilton was dubbed a knight by the Prince of Wales during a Windsor Castle investiture ceremony on Wednesday, but he declined to speak to reporters afterwards.

He was joined by his mother Carmen Lockhart and was all smiles as they posed for pictures in the castle’s quadrangle.

When congratulated on his award, Hamilton said:

“Thank you.”

The 36-year-old is the fourth F1 driver to be knighted, 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.

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

But on Sunday, rival Max Verstappen claimed his first Formula 1 world title after his season-long battle with Hamilton came down to a one-lap shoot-out in Abu Dhabi.

The deployment of the safety car after a late crash at the Yas Marina Circuit wiped out the lead Hamilton had built over his rival, and Verstappen had the advantage as he was using fresher tyres.

After the Red Bull driver stormed past Sir Lewis — who missed out on a fifth title in succession — the British racing star said on the car radio

“This has been manipulated, man”, but he was later magnanimous in post-race interviews.

He told Sky Sports at the time: “Congratulations to Max and his team.

“I think we did an amazing job this year. Everyone back at the factory and here worked so hard in this most difficult of seasons.”

The FIA have released a statement over the safety car controversy that saw Max Verstappen beat Lewis Hamilton to the F1 world championship at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The FIA have released a statement over the safety car controversy that saw Max Verstappen beat Lewis Hamilton to the F1 world championship at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The authority have promised a “detailed analysis and clarification exercise” with all teams to explain the dubious procedure that ultimately cost Hamilton dear.

The Mercedes man was comfortably leading the race by 11 seconds in the closing stages when Williams driver Nicholas Latifi crashed, prompting a safety car.

With nothing to lose, Verstappen pitted to put on fresh tyres, a move that appeared futile when race director Michael Masi instructed that lapped cars could not overtake the safety vehicle.

However, under pressure from Christian Horner, the Australian changed his mind, instead allowing the five cars between Hamilton and the Dutchman to unlap themselves, in order to speed up the process and allow for a final lap of racing.

On worn tyres, the British driver was always going to be up against it and Verstappen duly overhauled him to take the chequered flag.

A Mercedes protest over the incident was dismissed, but the fall-out has continued with Masi being widely accused of intentionally manufacturing an exciting finish, and has faced calls to resign.\

Leading lawyers have also questioned the explanation of the FIA panel in rejecting the protest.

Furthermore, Masi’s instructions at the Yas Marina also appeared to directly contradict a precedent he seemingly set at the 2020 Eifel Grand Prix.

The FIA have now responded, saying there had been a “misunderstanding” and that Verstappen’s title was being “tarnished.”

“The circumstances surrounding the use of the Safety Car following the incident of driver Nicholas Latifi, and the related communications between the FIA Race Direction team and the Formula 1 teams, have notably generated significant misunderstanding and reactions from Formula 1 teams, drivers and fans, an argument that is currently tarnishing the image of the Championship and the due celebration of the first Drivers’ World Championship title won by Max Verstappen and the eighth consecutive Constructors’ World Championship title won by Mercedes.”

They said the matter will now be discussed with all the teams and drivers in order “to draw any lessons from this situation” and provide clarity to all “participants, media, and fans about the current regulations.”

The FIA also promised to “propose to the Formula 1 Commission to give a clear mandate for study and proposal to the Sporting Advisory Committee, with the support of Formula 1 drivers, so that any identified meaningful feedback and conclusions be made before the beginning of the 2022 season.” —  SkySports.

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