The 36-year-old was recognised in the New Year Honours list
for services to motor sport following a year in which he eclipsed Michael
Schumacher’s all-time tally for Grand Prix wins and emulated the German by
winning a seventh world title.
But on Sunday, championship rival Max Verstappen claimed his
first Formula One world title after a season-long battle with Hamilton came
down to a one-lap shoot-out in Abu Dhabi.
The deployment of the safety car after a late crash at the
Yas Marina Circuit wiped out Hamilton’s seemingly unassailable lead and
Verstappen had the advantage as he was using fresher tyres.
On Wednesday, Hamilton was joined by his mother Carmen
Lockhart and was all smiles as they posed for pictures in the castle’s quadrangle.
However, he declined to speak to reporters afterwards.
Hamilton reportedly told his engineers “this has been
manipulated” moments after the title was snatched away from him, but he was
later magnanimous towards Verstappen in post-race interviews.
He is the fourth F1 driver to be knighted, following in the footsteps of Australian Jack Brabham and Britons Stirling Moss and Jackie Stewart, and the first to be awarded the honour while still competing. -AFP
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