02/12/2008
NEWS STORY
2008 Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton has been short-listed for the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year
The award, which has been handed out since 1954 when it was won by long-distance runner Christopher Chataway, sees members of the public vote for their favourite British sporting personality of the year.
Other than Hamilton, who was runner-up last year, the other ten nominees are Rebecca Adlington, Nicole Cooke, Chris Hoy, Rebecca Romero, Bradley Wiggins, Ben Ainslie and Christine Ohuruogu, who all won gold medals at The Olympics this summer, along with Andy Murray and 2007 Sports Personality of the Year, boxer Joe Calzaghe.
It is twelve years since an F1 driver last won the award, Damon Hill doing the honours in 1996, the year of his World Championship success. Previously, Stirling Moss (1961) and Jackie Stewart have picked up the award, with Jim Clark finishing runner-up in 1965, Graham Hill (1968) and James Hunt (1976).
Nigel Mansell, a man who some might claim stretches the personality aspect of the award to its very limit, and then some, has picked up the award twice, in 1986 and 1992, as has Damon Hill, who also won in 1994. Boxer Henry Cooper being the only other two-time winner.
The winner of the 2008 award will be announced during a live broadcast on BBC on Sunday December 14, Lewis Hamilton heading to the event after taking part in a shootout with Chris Hoy at Wembley as part of the Race of Champions weekend.
Since its inception in 1962, the International award has only ever once gone to an F1 driver, Niki Lauda receiving it in 1977.