Lewis Hamilton’s dramatic defeat to Max Verstappen in the F1 world title finale in Abu Dhabi must’ve stung, but as consolation prizes go, a knighthood isn’t too shabby.

The seven- (and oh so nearly eight-time) champion received his honour from Prince Charles at Windsor Castle, 13 years after he was made an MBE in the aftermath of his maiden championship crown back in 2008.

He is the fourth F1 driver to be knighted following Sir Jack Brabham, Sir Stirling Moss and Sir Jackie Stewart, although he’s the first to be given the honour while still competing in the sport.

Hamilton’s knighthood is for services to motorsport: as well as winning a record-breaking 103 grands prix to date and claiming the same number of pole positions along the way, the Mercedes driver has used his significant social media presence to make frequent and vital stands against racism in recent years.

In 2020 he set up the Hamilton Commission, with a panel of experts investigating ways to help improve diversity within the motorsport industry. Together with his team he helped establish Ignite - a charitable initiative designed to act on the recommendations of the Hamilton Commission - and the 36-year-old is said to have committed £20 million of his own wealth to Mission 44, his personal charitable foundation.

Rather incredibly, he remains the only black driver to have competed in F1 in its 71-year history.

Hamilton has kept unusually quiet in the days since the controversial season climax in the Middle East. Many of the drivers have expressed concern over how the rules weren’t followed, thus setting up the one-lap showdown between him and Verstappen, and Mercedes is still deciding whether or not to formally protest the result. Watch this space.

Picture: Getty