Two-time BBC Sports Personality of the Year Lewis Hamilton once put his foot in it when he referred to his hometown as "the slums" while attending the iconic awards show. And newly crowned Formula 1 world champion Lando Norris may be taking notes in the sort of things not to say as he vies for this year's trophy.

Norris, 26, is one of six names shortlisted to get his hands on the SPOTY silverware after pipping Max Verstappen to a maiden F1 title this month. His nomination to win the main prize handed out on Thursday evening makes him the first F1 driver to be shortlisted since Hamilton won the second of his two titles in 2020. However, it was during one of Hamilton's four runner-up finishes that he really chose his words poorly. And the F1 legend was left trying to cover his tracks with his remarks as cycling icon Geraint Thomas collected the gong in 2018.

"It's been a really long journey, a dream for us all, as a family, to do something different, to get out of the slums," he said in reference to his background. However, that didn't sit well with Sharon Taylor, who was Stevenage Borough Council Leader at the time.

Hamilton's remark was perhaps more to do with his state of living, rather than the area itself. However, Taylor nonetheless felt the need to distance their town from being characterised as slum-like in any way.

"It is disappointing that Lewis Hamilton referred to Stevenage as 'the slums' at such a high-profile event," she said in response at the time. "He clearly realised what he had said and tried to correct it but sadly the people of our town, many of whom admire and support him, felt very offended."

To his credit, he appeared to spot his clumsy wording in real time and sought to set the record straight. Ferrari star Hamilton, who finished sixth in this year's drivers' standings, instead refocused his point around the fact he had managed to achieve so much despite a modest upbringing.

"Well, we would say it's not the slums, but just come out from somewhere and do something," he added at the awards show. "We all set our goals very high, but we did it as a team."

Hamilton also followed up with another apology on Instagram, where he said: "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."

Norris can certainly say McLaren did things as a team, too, given the aid he's received from team-mate Oscar Piastri this year. In fact, the Australian all but took his title and was one of the three drivers in contention for the crown at the season-ending Abu Dhabi GP.

McLaren's pairing has become a topic of fervent conversation in recent times. It's been suggested the manufacturer can't retain both drivers long-term while each hold lofty championship ambitions, though the tandem is working for now at least.

This year, Norris proved the main beneficiary as he eked across the line to end Verstappen's reign of four consecutive world titles. Holding onto it in 2026 is sure to prove troublesome, however, especially as Piastri hones his own championship goals.

Britain's current best driver will look to follow in the footsteps of other F1 greats like Hamilton, Nigel Mansell, Damon Hill and more in getting his hands on SPOTY gold. However, current favourite Rory McIlroy will take some beating after his Masters win saw him finally complete golf's career Grand Slam.