Comment- Hamilton award shows Britain is finally accepting him

Lewis Hamilton’s victory at BBC Sports Personality of the Year is, perhaps, his most significant win of 2014. Hamilton has struggled to get the public on side since he arrived in 2007. He’s been ridiculed, criticised and had his personal life splashed across the pages of the press.

But this award shows that Britain is finally embracing F1's golden boy.

The current world champion has endured a difficult relationship with British fans and has watched Jenson Button revel in his role of the darling of British motor sport.

But, it takes much more than talent to win British hearts and it's his actions off the track as much as on it, which has earned Hamilton his award.

The ‘why always me’ attitude has vanished. He’s warmer, happier and more relaxed than he ever has been before, and the nation has responded to it.

Mud will continue to be slung at Hamilton by those who struggle to deal with his ‘attitude’. His moody, temperamental and slightly arrogant attitude has alienated many fans and they will not look past this even if he does change.

But it is easy to forget he was thrust into the spotlight at the age of 22, when he was still immature and emotionally unsure. In sport, we forget how young these stars really are. One PR mistake and their image may be tarnished forever.

Lewis Hamilton with Mercedes team members: Andy Cowell, Paddy Lowe & Toto Wolff

In Britain, we demand sportsman to be humble, soft spoken and appreciative of their fans. We demand sincerity, and Hamilton has been all of these things this year.

It’s rare that a talent like Hamilton pops along. He is the first British driver in over 40 years to become a double-champion. He could go on and win many more. It’s about time he was shown some love.

The public has always wanted to embrace Hamilton, but his defensive approach has always counted against him. Too many times has he been sarcastic in front of the, while he has always struggled to respond to disappointment in the ‘correct way’. But with age comes maturity, and the childishness has stopped.

A new attitude shown by his genuine happiness at the British Grand Prix, and his warmth for the public has made many view him in a different light. When things went against him, he didn’t sulk. He rallied and won the race, spent time with fans and spoke of his pride at winning his home race. It was all sincere.

Hamilton will continue to alienate with his rock star image, pet dogs and the fact he lives in tax free Monaco.

But the manor of his victory on Sunday shows he is finally loved by Britain. Not because he is a world champion, but because he has matured into a humble and likeable sportsman that Britain can be proud of.

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