Bernie Ecclestone questioned Lewis Hamilton’s knighthood, and suggested that he didn’t deserve to receive the honour.
Wednesday saw Hamilton knighted by Prince Charles in a traditional sword ceremony held at Windsor Castle. Sir Lewis Hamilton as he is now was assigned the honour days after losing the world championship battle by the narrowest of margins.
It is the greatest honour of the seven-time world champion’s life to receive the knighthood. He was awarded the prestigious rank due to his exceptional contributions to the field of motorsport.
However, Ecclestone questioned Hamilton’s knighthood, taking a dig at his activities in the process.
“Only people who have really done something for the country should be knighted,” the former F1 boss said, as quoted by grandpx.news.
“I don’t think many people who are knighted now really deserve it. They all make a lot of money and donate some to charity but they haven’t done anything specific for the country.”
Lone Wolff
The 91-year-old Ecclestone also lashe d out at Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff, saying that he was too expressive and dramatic.
“Other team members were probably angry too,” he insisted, “But he was the only one to show it.
“If Mercedes don’t win the championship retrospectively, he should at least get an Oscar for acting.”
Red Bull team advisor Dr. Helmut Marko was also critical of Wolff and Mercedes, and said that the great Niki Lauda’s lessons never got to the team.
“‘Let them race’, that’s what Niki said,” the Austrian said.
“Unfortunately he died too early.
“Given our understanding of sport, we would never do that (appeal against the decision).”
Mercedes will feel hard done by what happened at Abu Dhabi. Although they won the Constructors’ Championship for an eighth time, they will have dreamed of the Drivers’ Championship as well.
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