“Lewis Hamilton is, in my opinion, the greatest of all time,” exclaimed Port Of Harlem reader Khataza Gondwe about the Black British race car driver who secured his seventh world title November 15, in Istanbul, Turkey. Gondwe, who lives in London, continued, “Hamilton has achieved this distinction while overcoming racial barriers at every level, paving the way for others to follow, and doing so with grace and excellence.”

Hamilton’s popularity expands across the African world into the Gambia where Baba Sey of Brikama says he has been following the sport before Hamilton arrived on the scene. However, Sey sees his victory as “redemption.” He explained, “In whatever aspect of life we are given an equal opportunity to showcase our talent, the most likely outcome will be, we will come out on top.”

Hamilton, himself, told the Guardian “I am almost lost for words. We dreamed of this when I was young. It is so important for kids to see this, and don’t listen to anyone who says you can’t achieve something. Dream the impossible. You have got to chase it and never give up.”

His father, Anthony Hamilton, recalled his young interest in the sport. “Lewis kept bugging me with a remote control car. I wanted to sit and watch horse racing on a weekend. But instead, it was, ‘Dad, dad, the batteries have run out," reports Essentially Sport.

Hamilton was born in the United Kingdom to a father from Grenada and a British mother. The couple split when he was young, but both continued to be part of his life along with this stepmother. According to the British Sun, his mother, Carmen Larbalestier, was seen embracing her son and his stepmother Linda.

While the press seems to find many aspects of life likable, Gondwe had her own ideas. “What particularly stands out this year are his fearless championing of racial justice, support for the #End SARS movement in Nigeria, creation of The Hamilton Commission to improve diversity in racing, and his regular use of his extensive social media platforms to highlight all of these issues. If any British sports personality deserves to be Knighted in the 2021 New Year’s Honours List, it is Lewis Hamilton,” added Gondwe.