Hamilton humbled by MBE honour
British driver Lewis Hamilton has received one of his home nation’s top honours after being awarded an MBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours list, in recognition of his services to motor racing.
The award comes after Hamilton was crowned the 2008 drivers’ champion in a dramatic final race of the season in Brazil last November, which saw him become Formula One racing’s youngest ever title holder.
“It is a massive honour and incredible privilege for me to receive an MBE from Her Majesty The Queen,” said Hamilton. “It is the most amazing culmination to what has been quite a year for me. The support I have received from the UK as a whole has been fantastic and a huge motivation, it is something I am very appreciative of.
“This is not just a proud moment for me, but also for my family and every single person involved with the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Formula One team. I could not have achieved any of this without them.”
Hamilton won the title in only his second season of Formula One racing, after finishing runner-up to Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen in 2007.
