Lewis Hamilton praised the work of others after being named BBC Sports Personality of the Year for 2020 on Sunday.
The seven-time Formula 1 champion beat Liverpool FC captain Jordan Henderson in the public vote, marking the second time he has won the award.
However, in his speech, Hamilton put the emphasis on others working to help during the Covid-19 pandemic and the other top sportsman.
“I want to say congratulations to all the incredible nominees,” he said, accepting the award via video link from his home.
“I’m so proud of what they have achieved and I want to say thank you to everyone that has voted for me. I wasn’t expecting this knowing there’s so many great contenders.
“I want to say Merry Christmas to everyone – it’s been such an unusual year and I want to mention all the front line workers and all the children around 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.”
In the ceremony, held remotely in Manchester, Captain Sir Tom Moore was honoured for his fundraising efforts during lockdown earlier this year, while Manchester United footballer Marcus Rashford was also recognised for fighting to help families in poverty.
And it is those people Hamilton also believed deserved the attention.
“There’s so many great stories out there and so I truly wasn’t expecting it,” he added.
“Your heart’s always pumping in those last few seconds when they’re announcing because you have absolutely no idea who was called in. But I am so, so, so grateful to the British public.
“This definitely goes a long way to giving me the best Christmas that I can have given the circumstances.”
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This award also comes after British Grand Prix venue Silverstone announced they would be renaming the current pit straight the ‘Hamilton Straight’ to commemorate his achievement of becoming the statistical G.O.A.T. in F1.
“Wow, that is insane. No way! That is definitely a curveball. I don’t even know what to say,” he said, after becoming the first driver to have a section of the famous track named after them.
“I remember watching Silverstone, watching [Nigel] Mansell, seeing that incredible crowd and I’ve experienced it year on year. It’s something so close to my heart.
“It’s such a proud moment. I’m blown away. I didn’t know drivers had that, so I’m very grateful, very humble and a big ‘thank you’ to everyone for supporting me with it.
“I hope I can continue to make the BRDC, the Brits, proud for at least the time I’m here racing and hopefully beyond.”
