DAVID COULTHARD ‘doesn’t understand’ why Lewis Hamilton has not been knighted despite his heroic sporting success.
The former Formula One driver then asked whether ‘he has done something that would make him not acceptable’ to receive the honour.
Hamilton won his record-breaking 92nd F1 race in Portugal on Sunday, surpassing Michael Schumacher’s 14-year record.
But while Mo Farah and Andy Murray were made Sirs in 2017, Hamilton must still settle for the MBE he was awarded after winning his first world championship in 2008.
And Coulthard is baffled by his lack of knighthood.
Asked whether Hamilton deserves the accolade, the Scot – himself an MBE – told BBC Radio 5Live: “100 per cent. I don’t understand why so many world championships into his career (he hasn’t been awarded knighthood).
“He is a global ambassador for Britain.
“We’ve got a true world championship in Formula One. We’ve got Lewis there, proudly holding the Union Jack above his head.
“Everywhere and every time he has the opportunity to do so.
“So, does anyone know a reason why – has he done something that would make him not acceptable under the current regulations to knight him?
"I think he deserves it more than some others"@therealdcf1 tells @ChrisdotLatchem Lewis Hamilton should be knighted after he surpassed Michael Schumacher's all-time Formula 1 win record
Read more https://t.co/OSFAtemOQH pic.twitter.com/LvGlVPii1k
— BBC Radio 5 Live (@bbc5live) October 26, 2020
“Because I think he deserves it more than some others.”
Hamilton, 35, has often divided opinion but there is no denying his impact both on and off the track.
He is well on course to equal Schumacher’s haul of seven world titles this year and cement his status as F1’s greatest of all time.
And the Brit has used his public profile to champion causes close to his heart including the Black Lives Matter movement, fight climate change and support various charities.
