Franchitti awarded MBE

Dario Franchitti, MBE

Bathgate-born Franchitti, who was forced to retire after suffering a number of injuries in a high-speed crash during a race in the US last year, was received the honor from the Prince of Wales at a Buckingham Palace investiture ceremony on Wednesday.

He said about the MBE: "It's a wonderful tribute, it's a wonderful thing to have happen, I'm very proud of the honor obviously and it’s a wonderful full stop to my driving life, it’s wonderful to be recognized."

The former driver said he was still involved in motor sport: "I'm still very busy with the Ganassi team I drove for, I commentate on races now and do various ambassador roles with companies, so I’m keeping pretty busy."

The four-time IndyCar series winner stopped racing on medical advice after spending five days in hospital after suffering concussion, a fractured vertebrae and a broken ankle in the last-lap crash in the Houston grand prix, Texas.

Franchitti was married to Hollywood actress Ashley Judd for more than a decade until they announced their separation last year. Edinburgh News