Hamilton and Mercedes nominated for Laureus World Sports Awards

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For the seventh consecutive year, Lewis Hamilton is in the running for a Laureus World Sports Award while the Briton's championship winning team Mercedes is nominated for its seventh consecutive Laureus Team of the Year Award.

The recently knighted Sir Lewis, who won the prestigious trophy last year along with footballer Lionel Messi, will be up against some strong opposition with LA Lakers NBA legend Lebron James, tennis ace Rafael Nadal and Bayern Munich football star Robert Lewandowski completing the list of nominees.

As for Mercedes, which was granted the team award, the Brackley squad is contending with 2020 Superbowl winners Kansas City Chiefs and NBA champions LA Lakers and Champions League winners Bayern Munich all up for the accolade.

"It's an honour to have been nominated for Laureus World Sportsman of the Year alongside some truly incredible athletes," said Hamilton on the nomination.

"When I look back at the award ceremony last year, it's hard to believe just how much has changed. 2020 was a difficult year for so many people, for many different reasons and of course the world of sport was hugely affected.

Read also: 'Absent' Hamilton longing for reunion with fans

"I was fortunate enough to be able to race and I'm so proud of what we, as a team, were able to achieve together.

"I'm even prouder of the journey we began towards making the motorsport industry more diverse and inclusive.

"Nelson Mandela was the inspiration behind Laureus and I'm sure he would support everything we can do to use sport to achieve a greater good."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.