Hamilton cool on chances of knighthood

Lewis Hamilton says he is not considering his chances of being knighted after becoming the outright second most successful Formula 1 driver of all time in 2019.

Hamilton has been Great Britain's most successful racer for some time, but is yet to receive honours on top of the MBE he was awarded after winning his maiden world title in 2008.

Fans were left furious when Hamilton was omitted from the New Year's Honours List a year ago, with several voices around the British sporting landscape calling for him to be knighted.

He has gone on to secure more title glory in 2019, taking his sixth world drivers' title.

Several Olympic gold medallists, including Bradley Wiggins and Mo Farah, have been knighted for their sporting achievements, while England's former cricket captain Alastair Cook was made a Sir after retiring from Tests last year.

Asked for his thoughts on a recent swell of claims that he deserves to become Sir Lewis, Hamilton said: "I don't really like to think too much about it.

"Just the fact that people have mentioned it, it's already an honour, but it's not been something that I've been chasing in my life.

"If, at any point, that was to happen, I don't particularly know how I would handle it.

"I have stood in front of Her Majesty The Queen before and it was pretty incredible and I think she's just awesome. Again, I don't think it's going to happen, and again, it doesn't bother me if it doesn't.

"It doesn't mean I'm not British. It doesn't mean I'm not continuing to try and raise the flag as well as I can."