Bernie Ecclestone, the ex-CEO of Formula One has said Lewis Hamilton wasn’t deserving of the knighthood he received earlier this week
Although things failed to swing in his favour on the track with Max Verstappen managing to take home the 2021 F1 drivers’ championship title, Lewis Hamilton was lauded for his accomplishments in the world of motorsports.
Earlier in the week, Hamilton was honoured by the Prince of Wales in a ceremony at the Windsor Castle after having been included in the Queen’s New Year’s honours list. The Briton was given his knighthood to see him officially be known as Sir Lewis Hamilton from now on.
Bernie Ecclestone Displeased With Knighthood Given To Lewis Hamilton
However, ex-Formula One Bernie Ecclestone was far from pleased with Hamilton getting knighted. Ecclestone who had previously hit out at Toto Wolff after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2021, saying the Mercedes supremo deserved an Oscar for his antics has now gone onto question Hamilton’s knighthood.
Hamilton had gone onto break the record for the most F1 wins in 2020 along with equaling Michael Schumacher’s record for the most world titles after winning his seventh Drivers’ Championship in the same year.
“Only people who have really done something for the country should be knighted.
“I don’t think many people who are knighted now really deserve it.
“They all make a lot of money and donate some to charity but they haven’t done anything specific for the country,” said Bernie when asked to opine on Hamilton’s knighthood.
Hamilton had received an MBE back in 2009 after he won his first world championship title.
Hamilton could meanwhile be fined by the FIA if he’s found to have been in breach of Article 6.6 of the F1’s Sporting Regulations after missing the annual prize ceremony.