But there is now a sincerity to how he behaves which has evidently chimed with
the wider public. Even among the other nominees on Sunday, he held the stage
best and seemed genuinely delighted and shocked to have won.
For a sport laden with doom and gloom, Hamilton is alone flying the flag for
Formula One, transcending the boundaries of motor racing with a boosted
social media presence in which he repeatedly engages with his army of fans.
Clearly all the heckling about his Monaco residency did not have an effect.
In sporting terms, whatever Mcllroy’s feats, Hamilton could not have done much
more in his sport. British double world champions do not grow on trees.
There have been only four in history and Hamilton is the first since Sir
Jackie Stewart more than four decades ago.
In a 19-race season, he won 11. He also broke Nigel Mansell’s British record
for race victories. Apart from when his car broke down, he never finished
outside of the podium. More than that, he overcame his team-mate Nico
Rosberg despite consistently being on the back foot due to a combination of
car unreliability and his foe’s questionable tactics.
Yes, Hamilton was driving for Mercedes, the best car by miles. But that is all
part of the game in Formula One, of being the most complete driver out
there. Placing yourself in the right team at the right time is a manoeuvre
not many, including Hamilton until 2014, have mastered.
Whatever his foibles and quirks, Hamilton has finally found his place in the
British public’s hearts. He is a sportsman and a personality of which the
country can be proud.