Lewis Hamilton, a seven-year Formula One champion, ended another successful year by bidding for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.
The 35-year-old driver, who last month equaled Michael Schumacher’s record of seven F1 titles, defeated Jordan Henderson and Hollie Doyle for winning the prestigious British broadcaster award in a public vote on Sunday.
Hamilton has been a vocal supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement and said he now has “something different” driving him.
Hamilton also won a BBC award in 2014.
England midfielder Henderson brought Liverpool to his first Premier League title in 30 years. Liverpool are at the top of the league heading into the busy Christmas season. Henderson was also praised for his role in the #PlayersTogether campaign, which raised money for National Health Service charities during the coronary virus outbreak.
Doyle broke her own record for most calendar year wins with a female jockey before enjoying Ascot’s double Champions Day – bringing her first group aboard the Glen Shiel in British Sprint Champions.
The other three members on the six-person shortlist were boxer Tyson Fury, snooker player Ronnie O’Sullivan and cricket Stuart Broad.
Marcus Rashford ‘s efforts off the field were recognized with a special award.
An England and Manchester United footballer was at the forefront of a campaign to provide free school meals to vulnerable children during the spring lockdown and is still working on projects to tackle child hunger.