F1 world champion Lando Norris is one in every of six contenders shortlisted for BBC Sports activities Persona of the Yr, and rival Lewis Hamilton as soon as gave a lesson in what to not say on the awards present
Two-time BBC Sports activities Persona of the Yr Lewis Hamilton as soon as landed himself in sizzling water when he described his hometown as “the slums” throughout the prestigious awards ceremony. Newly topped System 1 world champion Lando Norris would possibly wish to take notes on what to not say as he competes for this yr’s trophy.
The 26-year-old has been shortlisted for SPOTY silverware after beating Max Verstappen to clinch his first F1 championship this month. His nomination for the principle prize, which might be awarded on Thursday night, makes him the primary F1 driver to be shortlisted since Hamilton claimed the second of his two titles in 2020.
Nevertheless, it was throughout one in every of Hamilton’s 4 runner-up appearances that he actually misjudged his phrases. The F1 icon discovered himself backtracking on his feedback as biking hero Geraint Thomas picked up the award in 2018.
“It has been a very lengthy journey, a dream for us all, as a household, to do one thing totally different, to get out of the slums,” stated Hamilton, referring to his upbringing. However his remark did not go down nicely with Sharon Taylor, who was Stevenage Borough Council Chief on the time.
Hamilton’s remark was probably extra about his household’s monetary circumstances than the world itself. Nonetheless, Taylor felt compelled to reject any suggestion their city could possibly be characterised as slum-like.
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“It’s disappointing that Lewis Hamilton referred to Stevenage as ‘the slums’ at such a high-profile occasion,” she stated in response. “He clearly realised what he had stated and tried to appropriate it however sadly the individuals of our city, a lot of whom admire and help him, felt very offended.”
To his credit score, Hamilton appeared to recognise his awkward phrasing instantly and tried to make clear his remarks. The Ferrari driver, who secured sixth place on this yr’s championship standings, redirected his feedback in direction of how he had completed a lot regardless of his humble beginnings.
“Properly, we might say it is not the slums, however simply come out from someplace and do one thing,” he added on-stage. “All of us set our targets very excessive, however we did it as a staff.”
Hamilton subsequently issued one other apology on Instagram: “I am tremendous pleased with the place I come from and I hope you already know that I symbolize in the easiest way I can all the time…significantly when you’re up in entrance of a crowd, looking for the fitting phrases to precise the lengthy journey you have had in life, I selected the fallacious phrases.”
Norris can undoubtedly say McLaren operated as a collective unit as nicely, contemplating the help he obtained from team-mate Oscar Piastri all through this season. Certainly, the Australian helped strip the competitors and was one in every of three drivers vying for the title on the season-finale in Abu Dhabi.
The McLaren duo has been the topic of a lot consternation lately. There’s hypothesis the producer cannot preserve each drivers in the long term as they every harbour championship aspirations, though the partnership is functioning nicely for now.
Norris was the principle winner this yr, narrowly crossing the end line to finish Verstappen’s streak of 4 consecutive world titles. Nevertheless, retaining it in 2026 will undoubtedly be difficult, significantly as Piastri sharpens his personal championship targets.
The UK’s present high driver will intention to emulate different F1 legends like Hamilton, Nigel Mansell, Damon Hill and others by clinching SPOTY gold. Nevertheless, present favorite Rory McIlroy might be robust to beat after his Masters victory noticed him lastly obtain golf’s profession Grand Slam.
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