Will the recent tax allegations against four-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton prevent him from being knighted in January?
Four-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton’s name recently came up in the Paradise Papers along with allegations that the 32-year-old reportedly avoided paying value-added tax on his £16.5 million (≈$21.6 million) private jet that he bought in 2013.
Hamilton was apparently issued a £3.3 million (≈$4.3 million) value-added tax refund after his newly purchased Bombardier Challenger 605 was imported into the Isle of Man following his purchase of it in 2013.
Could these recent allegations against Hamilton possibly prevent him from being knighted in the New Year’s Honours List in January of 2018?
According to Express, here is what a spokesperson had to say about Hamilton possibly being knighted even before he secured his fourth career Formula One championship in the Mexican Grand Prix at the end of October.
"“Lewis Hamilton is already the most successful British driver in Formula 1 history with 62 race victories, twice as many as Nigel Mansell achieved during his career, and is now on course to become only the fifth F1 driver to win four or more world titles.”“In recognition of his remarkable achievements, the 32-year-old is now odds-on at 4/6 with BetStars to upgrade his current MBE status to a knighthood in the New Year honours list.”“The 2014 Sports Personality of the Year winner could join the likes of Stirling Moss, Jackie Stewart and Jack Brabham to receive the esteemed accolade for his services to motor racing. We’re backing Hamilton to become Sir Lewis in the very near future.”"
And here is what The Guardian’s Marina Hyde had to say about these allegations possibly preventing Hamilton from being knighted in January.
"“For now, the shock has given way to two major concerns. The first is that this might be a bit of a pisser as far as Lewis’s bid for a knighthood goes. My own view is that titles are always rather silly, but others are naturally welcome to disagree, and we do know that Lewis has long had designs on one. Only last week, as he became Britain’s most successful F1 driver of all time, he was eyeing a visit to Buckingham Palace in the New Year’s honours.”"
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So will these allegations prevent Hamilton from being knighted? Truth be told, probably not. These tax allegations have changed absolutely nothing that was stated in the first quote, which pretty much outlines why he deserves to be knighted to begin with.
Plus, athletes like Hamilton don’t even do their own taxes, so he is not directly responsible for what happened. Sure, it traces back to him, but it boils down to someone else’s mistake or maybe even their exploitation of a tax loophole, which would make it perfectly legal.
After these allegations were made public, one of Hamilton’s representatives issued a public statement about the matter. He stated the following:
"“As a global sportsman who pays tax in a large number of countries, Lewis [Hamilton] relies upon a team of professional advisers who manage his affairs. Those advisers have assured Lewis that everything is above board and the matter is now in the hands of his lawyers.”"
Next: Who is the greatest Formula One driver of all-time?
I simply cannot see Lewis Hamilton losing the opportunity to be knighted over these tax allegations, especially when he is a multi-millionaire to begin with who could easily afford to pay back the refund he received if required to do so. As his representative said, everything is now in the hands of his lawyers, thus implying that it is under control. With Hamilton not letting the allegations distract him, we shouldn’t let them distract us, either.