Lewis Hamilton has been crowned the BBC Sports Personality of the Year for the second time. The results were announced in the live show last night on BBC One (you can catch up on the whole occasion via BBC iPlayer), with Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson coming in second, and record-breaking 24-year-old jockey Hollie Doyle taking third place in the public vote.
After a tumultuous year in the sporting world, the buoyancy of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards was still intact. Of course, special measures had been put in place given the current circumstances, which meant that the audience comprised virtual screens and awards were received via video call.
With six enormous names in the nominations list, it was a tough one for the bookies to call, with Tyson Fury securing the best odds in many markets, despite his request to be removed from the shortlist. However, it wasn’t the self-titled Gypsy King who took the throne this time, but firm favourite and F1 legend Lewis Hamilton, taking the mantle from 2019 winner Ben Stokes.
Hamilton’s Credentials
At 35, Hamilton’s achievements are so astounding that they almost only bear significance when you compare him to Michael Schumacher. He is the only Formula One driver who has matched the German’s record of seven drivers’ titles, achieving his seventh in year that was dramatically disruptive to the usual sporting calendar. As well as matching this record, Hamilton exceeded Schumacher’s record of 91 wins, seizing 11 in 2020 and taking his total to an astounding 98 over his career. With no current plans for retirement in the near future, many anticipate Hamilton’s reign to continue for the foreseeable future.
Besides his sporting achievements, the awards also highlighted Hamilton’s support of the Black Lives Matter movement, showing his commitment to challenging systemic racism within the F1 industry, and using his platform to raise awareness for the importance of diversity.
Hamilton delivered a short but sweet acceptance speech via video call, where he wished everyone Merry Christmas and shared his thoughts on 2020: “It’s been such an unusual year and I want to mention all the front line workers and all the children round the world, I want you to try and stay positive through this difficult time, I’m sending you all positivity. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
This isn’t Hamilton’s first BBC Sports Personality of the Year award – he won his first one in 2014 – and by the looks of his trajectory, there’s a high chance it won’t be his last.
