Arise, Sir Lewis Hamilton, who days before missed out on the record
eighth title after losing in the controversial final lap of the Abu Dhabi Grand
Prix. Hamilton received the honour from the Prince of Wales at Windsor Castle. Notably,
the announcement came in December 2020, considering Hamilton’s glittering
career, equalling the number of titles of legendary F1 racer Michael
Schumacher. Hamilton has the edge over the German, having beaten his record of
91 wins.

Now, Hamilton joins an exclusive club of F1 drivers who have been
knighted for their accomplishments on the track.

Also Read | Who is Lewis Hamilton?

Sir Jack Brabham (1978)

Jack Brabham was the first ever F1 driver to be knighted. The three-time
champion hails from Australia, and clinched the titles in 1959, 1960, and 1966.
As the founder of the Brabham team in 1960, he holds the distinguishment of
being the only driver to win the title driving a car with his own name.

Sir Stirling Moss (2000)

Interestingly, this knight never won any Formula 1 championship. Nonetheless,
Sir Stirling Moss has remained an iconic figure in British and world
motorsport. For four seasons, between 1955 and 1958, Moss was the runner-up
consecutively. In the last three seasons of his career, he consistently finished
third. During his knighthood, the Queen was away on a visit in Australia,
prompting Prince Charles to bestow this honour.

Also Read | Who is Max Verstappen, 2021 F1 champion?

Sir Jackie Stewart (2001)

Before Hamilton, Stewart was the last Formula 1 racer to be knighted for
his services to motor racing. He is a three-time world champion too but won his
last title in 1971. It was only 30 years later that he would receive this
honour from the English royal family. During this instance too, the Queen was
absent, and Prince Charles conferred the knighthood upon Stewart.

Apart from these racers, Sir Frank Williams and Sir Patrick Head,
co-founders of their Formula 1 team, were awarded the knighthood in 1999 and
2015, respectively.