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The racing driver added the honour to his seven World Championship crowns after he controversially lost out in the last race of the Grand Prix season. But his mum Carmen Lockhart lapped it up as Lewis, 36, was made a Sir. And she glowed with pride when the pair posed for photographs after the investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle.

Many fans feel the motoring superstar was unfairly robbed of his eighth World Championship title in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.

The Mercedes driver was overtaken on the last lap by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, 24, who claimed his first F1 world title.

Sir Lewis had looked to be cruising to victory. But a late crash and some last-minute decisions by race controller Michael Masi meant his lead was wiped away and Max stormed past on fresher tyres.

At the time, Sir Lewis complained on his car radio: “This has been manipulated, man.”

But in post-race interviews he was magnanimous, telling Sky Sports: “Congratulations to Max and his team. I think we did an amazing job this year.

“Everyone back at the factory and here worked so hard in this most difficult of seasons.”

He was just as gracious yesterday. When congratulated on his knighthood, a beaming Sir Lewis said: “Thank you.” But that was all.

He is the fourth F1 driver to be knighted ‑ following Sir Jack Brabham, Sir Stirling Moss and Sir Jackie Stewart ‑ but the first to be honoured while still racing.

It came after he eclipsed Michael Schumacher’s all-time race victory tally and matched the German to win his seventh world title in 2020.

Lord Hain, chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Formula One, twice wrote to No10 calling for Lewis to be knighted.

The star has spoken out and marched in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. He even persuaded Mercedes to ditch its traditional silver livery for black to send out an extraordinary message in the fight against racism.

Others to receive honours yesterday were sports promoter Barry Hearn, 73, who was awarded an OBE, and singer Craig David, 40, who was made an MBE.

But actor Sir David Suchet had to pull out of receiving his knighthood. The Poirot star, 75, tweeted on Tuesday: “I have sad news. I have tested positive for Covid.”

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