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Formula One F1 – Emilia Romagna Grand Prix – Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola, Italy – Race winner Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes and third placed Daniel Ricciardo of Renault drink out of shoes as they celebrate on the podium after the race Pool via Reuters/Luca Bruno
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Formula One F1 – Emilia Romagna Grand Prix – Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola, Italy – Race winner Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes and third placed Daniel Ricciardo of Renault drink out of shoes as they celebrate on the podium after the race Pool via Reuters/Luca Bruno
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Formula One F1 – Emilia Romagna Grand Prix – Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola, Italy – Race winner Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes and third placed Daniel Ricciardo of Renault drink out of shoes as they celebrate on the podium after the race Pool via Reuters/Luca Bruno
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Formula One F1 – Emilia Romagna Grand Prix – Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola, Italy – Race winner Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes and third placed Daniel Ricciardo of Renault drink out of shoes as they celebrate on the podium after the race Pool via Reuters/Luca Bruno
Between the races in Turkey and Bahrain, the F1 community talked a lot about whether Lewis Hamilton would receive his knighthood soon. By the looks of it, he just might get the honor before the year is out.
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Recent reports have indicated that the seven-time world champion would receive a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II in recognition of his achievements in 2020.
But what does fellow F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo make of the whole thing? The 31-year-old was in his natural element while talking about it. He also discussed whether he will call Hamilton, “Sir Lewis.”
Daniel Ricciardo thinks Sir Lewis Hamilton would sound a ‘little weird’
Speaking in a brief interview, Ricciardo stated, “Well I actually spoke, well, a little bit of WhatsApp exchange with the Queen Elizabeth. And she did say she was always hesitant to do so because she really wanted to give me the honor first. I guess it’s not probably fair if I obviously go in front, so time will tell.”
Having raced as a fellow driver all these years, it would naturally be a little odd for Ricciardo to call Hamilton “Sir Lewis.” However, the Australian insisted that if that was indeed a rule, he would follow it diligently.
Ricciardo on whether he’d address Hamilton as ‘Sir Lewis’ if the knighthood happens – “I actually spoke, well.. a lil bit of WhatsApp exchange with Queen Elizabeth, and she did say she was always hesitant to do so because she really wanted to give me the honour first…” from r/formula1
“It’s actually a very good question! I want to say no, but I don’t know if that’s like really disrespectful. Maybe I do have to be careful, maybe I do have to say Sir Lewis.”
“My first thought is no because it will sound a little weird. But yeah if it’s a slap on the wrist if I don’t, then maybe I’ll abide by the rules.”
Hamilton’s knighthood would indeed be well-deserved
With a stellar career in F1 and his social work, one could easily make a case for Hamilton’s knighthood. He even recently became the world champion of the 2020 season, which took his tally up to seven Drivers’ titles.
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Formula One F1 – Bahrain Grand Prix – Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain – Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton during the press conference FIA/Handout via REUTERS
Many Britons in the past have received the recognition, most notably Sir Frank Williams. So, there’s no reason a racing legend who equaled the great Schumacher’s record should not be entitled to the honor. But like Ricciardo said, only time will tell.