As the BBC Sports Personality of the Year ceremony approaches, newly crowned Formula 1 world champion Lando Norris finds himself on a prestigious shortlist. Yet, the history of the awards holds a cautionary tale from another British F1 icon, Lewis Hamilton, whose past comments sparked significant controversy.
The Stevenage Slip-Up: Hamilton's 2018 Controversy
During the 2018 SPOTY ceremony, while finishing as runner-up to cyclist Geraint Thomas, Lewis Hamilton made remarks about his upbringing that he quickly regretted. Speaking about his family's journey, the seven-time world champion referred to his hometown of Stevenage as "the slums."
The comment provoked an immediate backlash. Sharon Taylor, the then-Leader of Stevenage Borough Council, publicly expressed disappointment. "It is disappointing that Lewis Hamilton referred to Stevenage as 'the slums' at such a high-profile event," she stated. "He clearly realised what he had said and tried to correct it but sadly the people of our town, many of whom admire and support him, felt very offended."
Damage Control and Clarification
To his credit, Hamilton appeared to recognise his misstep almost instantly. On stage, he attempted to reframe his comments. "Well, we would say it's not the slums, but just come out from somewhere and do something," he added. He emphasised the team effort behind his success, stating, "We all set our goals very high, but we did it as a team."
The Mercedes driver, who will race for Ferrari next season, later issued a further apology on Instagram. He explained the difficulty of finding the right words in the moment: "I'm super proud of where I come from and I hope you know that I represent in the best way I can always... particularly when you are up in front of a crowd, trying to find the right words to express the long journey you've had in life, I chose the wrong words."
Norris Steps into the SPOTY Spotlight
This context arrives as Lando Norris, 26, is shortlisted for the main SPOTY prize following his dramatic maiden Formula 1 world championship victory this month. He ended Max Verstappen's four-year title streak, becoming the first F1 driver nominated since Hamilton won his second SPOTY award in 2020.
Norris can certainly speak to a collective team effort, having been supported brilliantly by McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri throughout the season. The Australian was instrumental in securing the constructors' championship and was one of three drivers in title contention at the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
However, Norris faces stiff competition for the public-voted trophy. Current favourite Rory McIlroy, who finally completed golf's career Grand Slam by winning The Masters, is a formidable contender. Darts sensation Luke Littler is also on the shortlist, though he has admitted he will not attend the Thursday evening ceremony.
For Norris, the goal is to join an elite group of F1 drivers who have won SPOTY, including Hamilton, Nigel Mansell, and Damon Hill. Meanwhile, Hamilton himself is out of contention this year after finishing sixth in the drivers' standings. As Norris prepares for his moment in the SPOTY spotlight, Hamilton's experience serves as a potent reminder that for sporting superstars, choosing the right words can be as crucial as choosing the right racing line.
