Mercedes boss Toto Wolff led the tributes after Lewis Hamilton's knighthood was confirmed on Wednesday.

This year, the Briton officially became Formula 1's most successful driver, surpassing Michael Schumacher for the most wins and equalling the German as a seven-time world champion.

Despite his achievements, the debate over whether Hamilton is eligible to become a Sir has typically revolved around his tax status in the UK, as he, like most F1 drivers, currently resides in Monaco.

But to end that controversy, or maybe to add to it, Hamilton has been recognised for his services to motorsport on the 'Overseas and International' list which honours those for their "exceptional service to the UK abroad and internationally".

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Still, for many Sir Lewis Hamilton has been a long time in coming and Wolff was among the first to send his congratulations.

"Lewis is one of the very greatest racing drivers of all time and the most successful British sportsperson of his era," said the Mercedes chief.

"Around the world, he has long been recognised for his sporting achievement; this year, he combined his excellence on the track with a powerful voice to fight discrimination. In every sense, he led the way in 2020.

"The news that he is to receive a knighthood shows that he is now receiving the recognition he has earned during a career of unparalleled success in motorsport. The UK can be very proud to have a champion and ambassador of the calibre of Sir Lewis Hamilton."

With the confirmation, the 35-year-old becomes the fourth F1 driver to be knighted after Sir Stirling Moss, Sir Jackie Stewart and Sir Jack Brabham.

"Congratulations to him, and very well deserved," Sky Sports' Martin Brundle commented.

"Seven world titles he has in his pocket now equalling the great Michael Schumacher. He tops the tables in Formula 1 for most victories at 95, most pole positions at 98, most podiums at 165.

"He's 36 years old on January 7. Most of the young guns aiming to knock him off the pedestal are 10-15 years younger than him and he still turns up with his A-game; full of energy, pushing like crazy.

"When we see Lewis up on the podium and we hear the national anthem, and we see him with the Union Flag and being crowd-surfed at Silverstone, this all sums it up in terms of underlining what he has achieved in representing Great Britain and Formula 1.

"If anybody in sporting terms deserves this recognition then surely it's Sir Lewis Hamilton."

Damon Hill, Britain's last world champion prior to Hamilton in 2008, also highlighted the off-track activism which Lewis has brought very much into the F1 spotlight this year.

"He is standing up for issues that are close to his heart and affect everyone, and in our sport it's very rare for a driver to get involved in anything that's outside of Formula 1," he told the UK broadcaster.

"Lewis has said 'this affects me, this affects every black person'. He's stood up at a time when it could have destabilised his career, could have destabilised his concentration on the championship. So he took a huge gamble to do that, and that's courage and that's standing up for what you believe is right."