Lewis Hamilton added another accolade to his collection after sharing the Laureus Sportsman of the Year award with FC Barcelona’s Lionel Messi.
It’s the first time in the two-decade history of the event that the top prize was shared after the vote, conducted by the world’s sports media, ended in a tie.
That outcome though was quite apt with Hamilton earning his sixth Formula 1 championship and Messi his sixth Ballon D’or last year.
“Thank you Laureus Sport for this incredible award of World Sportsman of the Year,” the Briton said at the ceremony in Berlin.
“To think that my name is going to slot in alongside the legends, who have won this award before me, is really humbling.
“I also want to thank Mercedes Benz, they’ve always given me huge support, having signed me at the age of 13, they allowed me the opportunity to live my dream.”
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This isn’t the first Laureus Award the 35-year-old has claimed either after winning the Breakout Star of the Year award in 2008 after almost winning the F1 title in his rookie season at McLaren the year before.
Ironically, this comes after Max Verstappen was recently dubbed the “Messi of motorsport” by ex-F1 driver Robert Doornbos, well perhaps not just yet!
