DECEMBER 31, 2008

Lewis Hamilton MBE

Lewis Hamilton has been appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire in the New Year's Honours List.

Lewis Hamilton has been appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire in the New Year's Honours List.

"It is a massive honour and incredible privilege for me to receive an MBE from Her Majesty The Queen," he said. "It is the most amazing culmination to what has been quite a year for me. The support I have received from the UK as a whole has been fantastic and a huge motivation, it is something I am very appreciative of.

"This is not just a proud moment for me, but also for my family and every single person involved with the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Formula 1 team. I could not have achieved any of this without them.

"It has been an outstanding year for British sport as a whole, and it is great to see so many fellow sportsmen and women being honoured today.

"I am also very humbled to be included on the Honours list alongside all the members of the general public who have been recognised for their tireless work in such varied and worthwhile arenas. I am very fortunate to have been awarded for achieving my dream, it has required a lot of hard work and dedication, however it has been worth every single minute and I only hope that I can inspire young kids to do the same, whatever their dream may be."

There was also an MBE for Rob Austin, the former science and technology teacher, who established the Formula Schools design and technology competition in order to make engineering more popular and relevant to young people.