Is It Not Time For Lewis Hamilton To Be Knighted?

[sp1814]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/41696360

[jackthehat]

No, I don't think so.

As others have said, post-racing career with a stack of 'good works' behind him would be a more apporpriate time. He certainly deserves acclaim for his on-track achievements but that's about it, at the moment.

Mikey - Please belt up. Not everything has to be diverted to include your particular Political hobby-horses...

[Kromovaracun]

Out of interest, how do we know that he's moved to Switzerland for tax reasons?

I just ask because it's getting a little creepy to see that having the temerity to live outside your country of birth is being spun as some kind of "treachery."

[vulcan42]

No, as jackthehat says, it's the 'good works' that earns the knighthood, not just what they achieve in their chosen profession. All the more reason why John Surtees should have been knighted, he set up a foundation to help injured people, after his son was killed on the racetrack.

[mikey4444]

Kromo.....it looks as if he was resident in Switzerland after all ::::https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewis_Hamilton#Personal_life

But, for tax reasons, he is now based in Monaco.

Usual tax avoidance reasons I suppose. Another reason why he shouldn't be Knighted.

[youngmafbog]

Moved from Switzerland to Monaco - for tax reasons.

Well that's a new one!

[albaqwerty]

He moved to Switzerland for tax reasons, but moved from there to Monaco, where other F1 drivers are based as he found Switzerland ''too boring''

https://www.gptoday.com/details/view/409418/Hamilton_moves_from_Switzerland_to_Monaco/

[TWR]

I was driving HGVs + Car accident free for 40+ years, am I entitled to an Knighthood?

[bhg481]

Mikey - if anyone who avoids paying tax is to become ineligible for a knighthood that will eliminate everyone who has an ISA. In any case, anybody who doesn't, by legal means, minimise their tax obligations is an idiot.

[mikey4444]

BHG...I am generally against people receiving Knighthoods, for just doing their jobs. I am unaware that Hamilton has performed much in the way of charitable duties during his career.....If he has, than perhaps a Knighthood would be suitable.

[bhg481]

I am COMPLETELY against people receiving any sort of "honour" for just doing their job. I was just making the point that minimising your tax obligations by legal means should not be a bar to being awarded one.

[mikey4444]

BHG....good, then we agree on one point at least !

[albaqwerty]

I'm not against a school-crossing person, for example, being acknowledged for doing their job for 40/50/60 years, it's usually just a wee medal and a day out for them, they don't get knighted just for doing their job

[bhg481]

A school-crossing person is just another job. Where do you draw the line? Should I have got recognition for being a government scientist fo 45 years? I think not. Someone at the same establishment got OBE for still working there when he was 80; was that right. Again, I think not.

[ToraToraTora]

"I'd say, though I'd have huge respect for him if he was offered it and turned it down. " - err why?

[poorclare]

Poor Jackie had to wait 30 years and him after giving Princess Anne/Mark Phillips a Backgammon game (apparently) as a wedding present. He could not even say congratulations to L. Hamilton.
I think it would be rude for anyone to turn down a knighthood.

[Gromit]

Most gongs go to civil servants (just doing their jobs)and are a reward for brown nosing for many years.
They do sprinkle the honours list with a few celebrities/sports people to give it a bit of glamour, so there is no reason Hamilton shouldn’t get one under that criteria.
Honours are an out dated and now irrelevent for of patronage, and the whole thing should be scapped.

[ToraToraTora]

It seems I have stumbled across an anti British love in disguised as a call for Hamilton to be knighted. Don't over dribble eh!

[Gromit]

Tora,
If there was a Knighthood for being a nasty sad man, you’d have two.

[albaqwerty]

Scientists are important people and should be acknowledged as such, maybe not by a knighthood or a wee medal.

An aunt of mine was awarded a BEM many decades ago, she had no idea why, she was 'just doing my job'

[ToraToraTora]

bit harsh gromit.