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Lewis Hamilton wins BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2020 after 7th F1 title
Lewis Hamilton has been crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2020. Hamilton wins the award in a year which saw him become a seven-time Formula 1 World Champion, equalling Michael Schumacher's record. Hamilton was voted to win by the public after initially being placed on a six-person shortlist.
Hamilton beat Stuart Broad (Cricket), Jordan Henderson (Football), Hollie Doyle (Horse Racing), Ronnie O'Sullivan (Snooker) and Tyson Fury (Boxing) to win the annual prize. Doyle finished in third and Henderson finished second.
WINNER @LewisHamilton is your Sports Personality of the Year for 2020! #SPOTY
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) December 20, 2020
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2020 Hamilton's year again
In 2020, the British driver statistically became the greatest Formula 1 driver of all time. The 35-year-old equalled Schumacher's F1 career win record after victory in October's Eifel Grand Prix. He went on to achieve his 92nd victory in the Portuguese Grand Prix later that month. Hamilton is closing in on his 100th pole position, and also has the record for the number of podiums in F1.
The Mercedes driver battled COVID-19 in the final weeks of the season and was therefore forced to miss his first Grand Prix since making his debut in March 2007. He is yet to announce a contract extension for the 2021 F1 season.
As well as winning a seventh world championship and taking Michael Schumacher's F1 career win record in 2020, Hamilton has played a key role in the Black Lives Matter movement and is fighting for further equality and diversity within Formula 1 and around the world.
"I want to say congrats to all incredible nominees I'm so proud of what they have achieved 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," Hamilton told the BBC after winning the award.
"I want to say Merry Christmas to everyone - its been such an unusual year and I want to mention all the front line workers and all the children round 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."
Not for the first time
This marks the second time Hamilton has won BBC Sports Personality. In 2014 Hamilton saw off Rory McIlroy and Jo Pavey to lift the trophy for the first time in a year when he won his second F1 World Championship and first for Mercedes. He has finished runner-up on a further four occasions in 2007, 2008, 2018 and 2019.
Other Formula 1 drivers to win Sports Personality of the Year include Sir Stirling Moss (1961), Sir Jackie Stewart (1973), Nigel Mansell (1986 & 1992) and Damon Hill (1994 & 1996).