London – Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton has won BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2020.
Coming first in a public vote, he beat Liverpool football captain Jordan Henderson who came second, and horse racing jockey Hollie Doyle who came third.
The Sports Personality award winner is the sportsperson, judged by the public, to have achieved the most during the year.
And, Hamilton has had an incredible sporting year, equalling a record of seven Formula One world titles that he now shares with racing legend Michael Schumacher.
He has also overtaken Schumacher to the most F1 race wins, making Hamilton the most successful driver in the sport’s history.
Boxer Tyson Fury, England cricketer Stuart Broad and snooker great Ronnie O’Sullivan were also nominated for the main award.
“I want to say congratulations to all the incredible nominees,” said Hamilton. “I’m so proud of what they have achieved and 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.
“I want to say Merry Christmas to everyone – it’s 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.”
It is the second time Hamilton has been crowned Sports Personality of the Year, having first won the award in 2014.
He is also a four-time runner-up, most recently losing out to cricketer Ben Stokes in 2019. (BBC)
