Lewis Hamilton: Decorated Driver Knighted by Prince Charles Days After Abu Dhabi Heartbreak

• Hamilton was recognised for his incredible services to motorsport
• He received his knighthood at the Windsor Castle on Wednesday, December 15 in the presence of his mother
• The feat came only days after he was dramatically denied history at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where he lost out to Max Verstappen

Just days after suffering heartbreak at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton has been knighted by the Prince of Wales at Windsor Castle.

Hamilton was recognised as a knight by Prince of Wales during a ceremony on Wednesday, December 15 in an event that was graced by his mother Carmen Lockhart.

He becomes just the fourth driver to be knighted after Sir Jackie Stewart in 2001, Sir Stirling Moss in 2000 and Sir Jack Brabham in 1979.

Notably, Hamilton was in no mood to engage with media as he simply said “Thank you” after he was congratulated for being knighted.

Former Manchester United Manager Regrets Not Man-Marking Messi in 2011 UCL Final

Football

He also declined to take a press conference afterwards.

A silver lining in a horrible week for Hamilton

The recognition at Windsor Castle was the least Sir Lewis Hamilton deserved after what has been a tense last few days for the Mercedes driver.

Hamilton was cruising to a comfortable eighth world title on Sunday, December 12 but was pipped by Max Verstappen in controversial circumstances as the Belgian-Dutch racing driver clinched his maiden title.

Having led Verstappen by 11 seconds going into the final lap at the Yas Marina Circuit, a last-gasp crash changed the course of the race.

A safety car, which was then deployed led to Hamilton losing the lead he worked so hard to build as Verstappen now had the advantage of using fresher tyres.

Hamilton could be heard muttering to the radio, “This has been manipulated, man” after the Red Bull driver stormed past him to deny him the title when it initially looked like race director Michael Masi instructed that lapped vehicles could not overtake the safety vehicle until it left the track.

Super Eagles striker playing for top EPL side gives heartbreaking reason he stopped supporting Arsenal

Football

Despite the controversial defeat, Hamilton still showed class after the race, telling Sky Sports:

"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."