In December 2018 , Stevenage-born Hamilton caused controversy at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards where he said on live television , " It really was a dream for us all as a family to do something different . For us to get out of the slums " before immediately correcting himself , saying , " Well , not the slums , but to get out of somewhere and do something . We all set our goals very , very high but we did it as a team . " While Hamilton immediately sought to correct his remarks , the leader of Stevenage Borough Council described the comments as " disappointing " and noted that people felt " very offended " . Hamilton posted a video on Instagram in which he apologised for his comments , saying " I 'm super proud of where I come from and I hope you know that I represent in the best way I can always . ... Particularly when you are up in front of a crowd , trying to find the right words to express the long journey you 've had in life , I chose the wrong words . " The town mayor subsequently accepted his " gracious apology "
BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards
2018 BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award
Lewis Hamilton