Sports Personality of the Year contender Lewis Hamilton: 'I pay a lot of tax in the UK'

The Formula One racer said he helped to keep a team of more than 1,000 people employed in the UK

File photo of Lewis Hamilton celebrating becoming World Champion after victory in the 2014 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as he was made favourite to become the first motor racing winner of Sports Personality of the Year since Damon Hill (PA)

His move to Monaco sparked accusations he was a tax exile, but Lewis Hamilton has said he still pays “a lot” of tax in the UK.

The Formula One racer said that he earns his money in 20 different countries, and pays tax in several different places, including the UK.

The 29-year-old, who is among the contenders to be named BBC1’s Sports Personality of the Year tonight, faced a backlash over his personal affairs in 2007 when he moved to the European tax haven.

“People moan and say, 'He doesn't live in the country, but he's happy to raise the flag'. It doesn't matter what country you live in. I was born here, man,” he told The Sunday Times’ Style magazine.

“What people don’t realise is that I pay tax here, but I don’t earn all my money here. I race in 19 different countries, so I earn my money in 20 different places and I pay tax in several different places, and I pay a lot here as well.”

Hamilton, who has a reported wealth of £68 million, said that he is “part of a much bigger picture”.

“I am contributing to the country and, not only that, I help to keep a team of more than 1,000 people employed,” he said.

The Formula One star has been named alongside Gareth Bale, Rory McIlroy and Charlotte Evans in the Sports Personality of the Year shortlist.

The winner will be announced tonight from 8pm on BBC1.