Jan 17 2025
Seven-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton claimed the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year title Sunday, marking another win in a gold-studded career spanning over a decade.
The 35-year-old, who last month equaled Michael Schumacher’s record of seven F1 titles, overcame Jordan Henderson and Hollie Doyle to win the British broadcaster’s prestigious prize in a public vote.
Hailing from Stevenage, England, Hamilton also surpassed Schumacher’s total of 91 grand prix wins.
He has been a vocal advocate in support of the Black Lives Matter movement sweeping the U.S. this year, at one point snapping to spotlight for donning a shirt with the words “Arrest the cops that killed Breonna Taylor.” The FIA outlawed the wearing of “unofficial” shirts soon after.
The illustrious racer also won the BBC prize in 2014, says he now has “something different” driving him.
“I want to say congratulations to all the incredible nominees,” said Hamilton in an interview with BBC. “I’m so proud of what they have achieved and I want to say thank you to everyone that has voted for me.”
He was also awarded the Autosport ‘International Racing Driver of the Year 2020’ last week.
Hamilton was also forced to sit out the Sakhir Grand Prix in Bahrain earlier this month after testing positive for coronavirus. Showing only mild symptoms at the time, he immediately self-isolated for 10 days and has recovered since.
