Does Lewis Hamilton Deserve to Be Knighted ?
In the News
Ive seen in the news this week that people asking if Lewis Hamilton winning so many world championships in formula 1 does he deserve a knighthood ?
If you were in a car competition and you were given a Mini and the other person was given a Porsche, who would win?
He deserves NOTHING.
In which case why isn't Valtteri Bottas more competitive in the same car? or Nico Rosberg before him?
I think it's around a 60/40 split, with 60% being the superior car and 40% being down to the driver.
As for a knighthood? Not for me - He avoided paying tax on a private jet by setting up a company that leased the jet to himself.
He also lives in Monaco, meaning he pays no UK tax.
Maybe Monaco would like to award him something since that's where he calls home.
blacklabrador Lewis Hamilton still pays UK income Tax and he is actually in the top 5000 people in the UK. So the haters saying ”he’s not paying tax“ is actually factually incorrect . If that is basis of your argument?? Explain why is Dyson, Branston and Ratcliffe all been Knighted?
Look at this in sporting terms, would you say Wiggins, Murray, Farrah and Cook for Christ’s sake, the greatest ever in their sports?? Not even in the top 10 each of them. As where LH is defo the greatest of
his generation and arguably of all time.
In the Turbo Hybrid era, Mercedes have been the best team, but in 2018 Ferrari and Red Bull had championship winning cars and the 2019 Ferrari was a dominant, the faster car!!! (Lewis would have won in them both).
Lewis is a marmite figure, personally I love his speed, race craft and talent, but look at his records, people should be proud to have a British Driver at the very top!!
In my humble opinion only those who have contributed their time and efforts in the service of their fellow humans should be awarded gongs. Why should someone who has become a millionaire for being successful in a sport or venture they love become a Sir?
Maybe he has done this, I haven't a clue.
Apparently he does pay tax in this country, he also donates large amounts to charities (not just in this country), he probably gets tax relief on his charity donations (we all can).
https://www.totalgiving.co.uk/charity/lewis-hamilton-foundation
Avoiding paying tax for years is a resident of Switzerland he may pay some but not what he should davidstockport
davidstockport it's interesting about the charity donations but I still reckon the awards should be for selflessness/generosity in time and effort etc rather than cash....not saying I'm right but that's how I feel at the mo.
Mick82 Have you any evidence that he does not pay what he should? I can't find any nor apparently can HMRC. From what I have read he pays tax in many countries. (not unusual when a person earns money in several different countries).
davidstockport I don't come on hear to argue with you in have read and watched many articles and programmes and I am stating my opinion you don't like it don't read it and get a life.
Mick82 I am very sorry, I didn't realise you had information that you're not allowed to share with us. Asking a person to supply their source of information isn't arguing, it's giving them the chance to strengthen their accusation, You said he doesn't pay the tax "he should" inferring he is guilty of tax evasion.
Incidentally a possible "typo" (is instead of as) might have caused misunderstanding, wrongly implying he is a resident of Switzerland, that changed quite some time ago. The last I heard his main home is in Monaco.
davidstockport the information you seek is available for anyone to find if you lack the intellectual capabilities to find it for yourself that is not my problem as for where he resides at this moment in time it really could be anywhere he can afford it on account of all that tax money he did not pay
Mick82 It is you who are making the ACCUSATION therefore it is you who should back up your ACCUSATION with some evidence. You are obviously not too up to date with your information if you think his official residence is Switzerland. I don't even follow F1 but knew it was Monaco. I would think anyone with intellectual capabilities would have checked such facts before posting. (or admitted their mistake after).
Just to avoid confusion Tax Avoidance is perfectly acceptable and legal - Tax Evasion isn't.
I do not have any PROOF he doesn't pay the tax he should - and those who have no PROOF that he doesn't shouldn't infer he doesn't without providing some PROOF (not opinion).
davidstockport you seem to get a little bit worked up at very little in will if you like it or not say what I feel on this topic or any other tax avoidance may well be legal but to knight someone they should be a example to other people how many life's could the NHS have saved how many fire engines how many school dinners could that money have bought just because something is legal dose not make it right we will never agree on this so either deal with that or see a doctor he will put you in touch with someone who will help with your many issues. Ps in will not be responding to you in have better things to do. 
Lots of sportsmen and women are given titles once they’ve achieved a high standard or gold medals. Not sure Hamilton deserves it as he resides in Monaco and no longer a British tax payer.
No. He's a conceited b-word, thinks the world should be praising him just because he's black.
Nope and a lot more other people who would be worthy in the current times not a F1 driver.
I've no idea, but it's worth thinking about the criteria for a knighthood or damehood before making your mind up about Lewis Hamilton.
A knighthood or damehood can be presented for all types of different achievement, but usually the person nominated will have made a major contribution to the country at a national or international level; their work and achievements will be viewed as an inspiration to others; and they may have influenced their peers, industry or the nation through their sustained and outstanding commitment to their chosen area.
Johnny, you're so good to give us the criteria for a knighthood or damehood. Let's have a look.
A knighthood or dame hood can be presented for all kinds of different achievement. This suggests that F1 qualifies.
Usually the person nominated will have made a major contribution to the country at a national or international level. Lewis has won a world championship 7 or 8 times now and represents the UK at venues all around the world. Check.
Their work will be viewed as an inspiration to others. Lewis is viewed as an inspiration by millions of sports fans all around the world and as a role model by some. So that's a tick.
May have influenced their peers, or industry or the nation through their sustained and outstanding commitment to their chosen area. Lewis has influenced his industry to start showing that F1 is anti-racism and values all people. He has influenced his peers by pushing people like Bottas and Verstappen to want to beat him and by pushing his engineers and mechanics to be the best they can be. And he has caused other people to respect the UK every time he stands on the top step of a podium.
Hmmm. The rules don't mention being a nice guy, paying taxes in this country or having a particular colour of skin. So why haven't they knighted him yet??
Thanks for that.
From what you've said, it certainly looks like Lewis Hamilton meets the criteria to be considered for a knighthood.
He can join Sir Stirling Moss and Sir Jackie Stewart.
He has achieved more in his chosen sport than many others that have already received a knighthood. Plus, his campaigning for BLM will make him a likely candidate in the next honours list 
I don't think anyone should be knighted, it is an outdated concept.
Why does anyone want to be 'rewarded' for being good. People should just be good or do good things anyway.
You're making me think You're so right that people should just be good or do good things without any expectation of reward. The trouble with that, though, is that many people don't do good without expecting a reward. Human nature. And by knighting people or giving other gongs such as medals, we hold up people who are doing good as examples for others to follow. You make an interesting point that knighting people might be outdated. What would you suggest we replace it with?
kfe202 Nothing, as it just perpetuates the class system, and encourages some people to think that they are better than others. Don't forget that there are plenty of people who do a great deal of good and are never rewarded. My grandmother was once invited to meet Princess Anne due to her good works but grandma felt she hadn't done any extraordinary, or indeed deserving, and didn't go. You can be good without wanted recognition. If you are doing it for the recognition then you are doing it for the wrong reasons.
Has he done anything notable apart from being good at his chosen job? Lots of people can legitimately claim that
I don't think it will come as much of a surprise, but Lewis Hamilton has now been knighted. Given that he has achieved more than many other sports men and women that have already been recognised. There would have been a great deal of criticism if he had been overlooked again - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-55475013
I just wish those who are knighted should be proud to be British and reside in the uk and pay taxes. By all means have holiday homes but accept the honour and pay taxes like the rest of us. Rant over, sorry I know it’s not just him.
I thought to get an honour you needed to have done more than your job,maybe something for charity or be an advocate. I don't know enough about motor racing to comment. I prefer honours that relate to charities.
No ..he's a billionaire for driving a car fast..carbon footprint is terrible...then he gets knighted...absolute joke
My comment is rather controversial and not aimed at Lewis Hamilton. I think only those who live in the Uk should be knighted whether an actor, sport achiever or whatever.
These days, knighthoods are far too readily available and it seems that just about anybody can get one. In my opinion, nobody should be given a knighthood just for doing their job. If you make an exceptionaly and voluntarily good will gesture such as donating a certain amount of money to the NHS, then that is when knighthoods should be rewarded.
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