Hamilton, Bale in running for Sports Personality of the Year crown

Newly crowned Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton will compete with European Ryder Cup star Rory McIlroy and Real Madrid's Gareth Bale to clinch the BBC 2014 Sports Personality of the Year award.

Hamilton, who claimed his second F1 world title in Abu Dhabi over the weekend is expected to be a leading contender for the prize, AFP reported on Tuesday.

Welsh winger Bale helped Madrid win the Champions League last season in his first year playing in the La Liga while McIlroy was a key member of the European team that retained the Ryder Cup against the United States.

McIlroy is bidding to become the first golfer to win the award since Nick Faldo in 1989.

Athlete Jo Pavey, dressage star Charlotte Dujardin, boxer Carl Froch, visually impaired skier Kelly Gallagher, swimmer Adam Peaty, gymnast Max Whitlock and skeleton bob racer Lizzy

Yarnold complete the list for the annual prize.

The shortlist was decided by a panel of former nominees, newspaper sports editors and television sport executives.

Image: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP celebrates with girlfriend Nicole Scherzinger after winning the Formula One World Championship on Sunday

Photograph: Mark Thompson/Reuters