Lewis Hamilton became a seven-time Formula One champion this year. And now he can also be called “Sir.”
The pilot was named a knight on Wednesday, as part of the list of honors spread by Queen Elizabeth, which recognizes artists, politicians, public servants and others. Particularly this year’s honors were addressed to those who worked in the fight against coronavirus and its devastating impact.
Hamilton, who last month won his seventh F1 title to match Michael Schumacher’s record, has said part of his recent success was inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement. The 35-year-old pilot put a knee on the ground and used slogans against racism in his clothing during the season.
“There was a different force to what had driven me in the past,” Hamilton told the BBC last week. “I wanted to get to the end of the races first, to use this platform” against racism.
Some have suggested that Hamilton would have been knighted earlier, had it not been for his tax status. The honor was given to the section of the list corresponding to successes abroad, as it resides in Monaco, a country with low taxes.
Hamilton’s tax issues reached the press in 2017, when leaked documents known as Paradise Papers show that the pilot evaded the payment of more than $ 4 million in taxes on a private jet that was registered in the Isle of Man, a tax haven.
David Richards, chairman of the board of Motorport UK, said Hamilton’s tax status had been “totally misinterpreted”. He added that the motoring star is among the top 5,000 taxpayers in the UK.
The Queen’s honors are awarded twice a year, in December and June.