Lewis Hamilton, Formula One World Champion has been voted the BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2014. Thus, Hamilton proved just how popular he has become after winning the world title and he joined an exclusive club by becoming the fourth Briton to win the drivers’ championship at least twice.
The Irish golfer Rory Mcllroy came second, while athlete Jo Pavey was on the third place. Lewis Hamilton won 209,920 of the 620,932 votes cast, with McIlroy getting 123,745 (20%) and Pavey 99,913 (16%).
“I was sitting there saying Rory’s going to have it. I thought it had to be someone else. I want to say a huge thank you to all the people who called in, I really wasn’t expecting it. I am so speechless. I’m so proud and honoured to be among such great sporting talent”, said Hamilton.
Moreover, it wasn’t even a close contest, as Hamilton took 33.8 percent of the votes, while Mcllroy only 19.9 percent.
Wearing a purple velvet jacket and accompanied by his pet bulldog, Roscoe, Hamilton joined an elite list of Sports Personality winners from F1, including Sir Stirling Moss (1961), Jackie Stewart (1973), and two-time winners Nigel Mansell (1986, 1992) and Damon Hill (1994, 1996).Thus, Hamilton becomes the fifth racing driver to ever win the award in its 61-year history.
The other winners were:
- Overseas Sports Personality of the Year: Cristiano Ronaldo. –football player
- Young Sports Personality of the Year: Claudia Fragapane – gymnast
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Six-time Olympic gold medal-winner Sir Chris Hoy
- Helen Rollason Award: The Invictus Games competitors were presented with the trophy by Prince Harry
- Sport’s Unsung Hero: Jill Stidever won the award after spending nearly 60 years teaching thousands of children with special needs to swim.
