On December 30th 2024, the King released the 2025 New Year Honours list, celebrating the remarkable achievements of individuals across the United Kingdom.
Among the honourees were figures such as former England manager Gareth Southgate, knighted for his contributions to football, and actor and presenter Stephen Fry, recognised for his work in mental health awareness, the environment, and charity.
In the past, several notable figures from the motorsport world have also been knighted, including Sir Lewis Hamilton, three time world champion Sir Jackie Stewart, and the late Sir Frank Williams.
This led us to wonder, who else in the motorsport world deserves such an honour?
There are many iconic names from the past, such as the legendary John Surtees, the only person to win World Championships on both two and four wheels, and Murray Walker, the beloved voice of Formula 1 for over five decades.
But who might be in the running now? In this feature, we explore five individuals who could be considered for a knighthood.
ROSS BRAWN
The first name that comes to mind is Ross Brawn, the mastermind behind Michael Schumacher’s success at Benetton and Ferrari. In 2008, he made one of sports’ greatest fairy tales come true by buying Honda for just £1, eventually leading the team to victory.
Under Brawn GP, with Ross at the helm, Jenson Button claimed the 2009 World Championship, the team winning both the drivers’ and constructors’ titles.
At the conclusion of the 2009 season, Brawn GP was sold to Mercedes for £130 million, although remained on board, becoming instrumental in the team’s success, which included the return of Schumacher and the rise of Nico Rosberg, who later won a World Championship.
Alongside Niki Lauda, Brawn also bought Lewis Hamilton to Mercedes, remaining with the team before stepping down in November 2013, handing the reigns to Toto Wolff. Brawn continued shaping the future of Formula 1 before retiring in 2022.
With a career spanning over three decades, Brawn has ensured success across multiple championships, particularly in Formula 1. His dedication, ingenuity, and significant impact on the sport make him a strong candidate for recognition.
ADRIAN NEWEY
If you were to ask a random person to name someone associated with Formula 1, it’s highly likely Adrian Newey’s name would come up before many drivers, given his status as one of the sport’s greats.
Before his recent move to Aston Martin, Newey served as the chief designer at Red Bull from 2008, creating championship-winning cars for Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen. His design for the 2023 Red Bull RB19 is considered one of his best, with the team winning 21 of the 22 races that season, and Verstappen securing his third World Championship.
Newey made his name at Leyton House before achieving success at Williams in the 1990s, designing cars that helped Nigel Mansell and Damon Hill win titles. He later moved to McLaren, where he designed the dominant 1998 McLaren MP4/13, which powered Mika Häkkinen to his first World Championship.
His career has spanned over 30 years, and despite his genius, Newey remains humble and unassuming, epitomizing what makes Formula 1 so special. While drivers are often in the spotlight, it’s the engineering brilliance of individuals like Newey that underpins the sport’s success.
ALAN GOW
One name that may not be as familiar to some fans but has profoundly influenced British motorsport is Alan Gow, the founder of TOCA, the organisation that purchased the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) in 1990.
Gow’s leadership has transformed the BTCC into one of the most successful motorsport championships in the world. The SuperTouring era of the 1990s was a golden period, with the world’s biggest manufacturers and best touring car drivers competing.
Although Gow sold the BTCC in 2001, he returned in 2003, revitalising the championship. Under his stewardship, the BTCC has undergone successful rule changes and is now a pioneer in synthetic fuel initiatives, aiming for greener and more environmentally friendly racing.
JONATHAN PALMER
While many may know Jonathan Palmer for his successful driving career, it is his contributions after retiring from racing that deserve the highest recognition.
As co-owner of MotorSport Vision (MSV), Palmer has played a crucial role in the revitalisation of iconic UK circuits, including Brands Hatch, Donington Park, Oulton Park, and Snetterton.
Under his leadership, these tracks have been modernised and made safer, with significant improvements to spectator experiences.
MSV also runs the British SuperBike Championship, as well as the GB4 and GB3 championships, providing drivers from all over the world with essential experience. Palmer’s work has ensured the UK remains a key hub for motorsport, both on two and four wheels.
STEVE RIDER
Finally, we turn to Steve Rider, a figure who has been a familiar face on our screens for decades.
Rider has hosted some of the most prestigious sporting events, from Formula 1 to the Rugby World Cup, and he remains the voice of the British Touring Car Championship, BTCC, a series he has loved for years.
Since taking over the BTCC coverage in 2009, Rider’s calm and professional presentation has been the perfect match for the drama the series provides. His ability to blend enthusiasm and insight has made him a standout figure in motorsport broadcasting.
Having covered major events for over 40 years, Steve Rider’s consistency and professionalism make him deserving of the ultimate recognition.
That concludes our list of those deserving recognition, if there is anyone you feel we have missed, please join the chat in our Socials!
Images: www.theguardian.com, www.telegraph.co.uk, www.motorsportimages.com, www.bbc.co.uk
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