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Lewis Hamilton

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Lewis Hamilton
File:Lewis Hamilton 2016 Malaysia 2.jpg
Hamilton at the 2016 Malaysian Grand Prix
Born
Lewis Carl Davidson Hamilton

(1985-01-07) January 7, 1985 (age 41)
Stevenage, Hertfordshire, England
OccupationRacing driver
Years active2007–present
Known forSeven-time Formula One World Drivers' Champion; most race victories, pole positions, and podiums in Formula One history

Sir Lewis Carl Davidson Hamilton (born 7 January 1985) is a British racing driver currently competing in Formula One with Ferrari. Hamilton shares the record for the most Formula One World Drivers' Championship titles with seven, tied alongside Michael Schumacher. He also holds numerous records, including the highest number of race victories (), pole positions (), and podium appearances (), among others.

Originating from Stevenage, Hamilton began karting at age six, securing multiple national championships before entering the McLaren Young Driver Programme in 1998. After claiming both the Karting World Cup and the European Championship in 2000, he advanced through various junior categories, winning the 2005 Formula 3 Euro Series and the 2006 GP2 Series. He made his Formula One debut with McLaren in , becoming the sport’s first black driver. During his inaugural season, Hamilton won four Grands Prix and narrowly missed the championship by a single point. He captured his first world title in , clinching it by overtaking on the final lap of the last race, making him at that time the youngest champion. Although he delivered strong performances, the Red Bull–Renault partnership dominated throughout his subsequent four years at McLaren.

Hamilton transitioned to Mercedes in , ending a 15-year partnership with McLaren. His initial victory for Mercedes came at the 2013 Hungarian Grand Prix. The introduction of turbo-hybrid power units in ushered in an era of Mercedes dominance. Between 2014 and 2016, Hamilton and teammate Nico Rosberg collectively won 51 out of 59 races amid an intense rivalry dubbed the Silver War. Hamilton secured world championships in and , while Rosberg claimed the title in before retiring. Overcoming mid-season deficits, Hamilton went on to win championships in and , followed by his sixth title in . In , he surpassed multiple milestones, including becoming the all-time leader in wins at the , equalling Schumacher’s record of seven championships. The following year, Hamilton became the first driver to exceed 100 victories and pole positions but finished second after a contentious season finale. After consecutive winless seasons in 2022 and 2023, he achieved his ninth victory at the British Grand Prix in , completing his twelfth campaign with Mercedes. Hamilton signed a contract with Ferrari beginning , which extends through at least 2026.

Beyond racing, Hamilton has significantly broadened Formula One's international reach through his prominent lifestyle and activism. He advocates for environmental sustainability, racial equality, and increased diversity within motorsport. Recognized as one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential individuals in 2020, he was honored with a knighthood in the 2021 New Year Honours.

Early life and education

Lewis Carl Davidson Hamilton was born on 7 January 1985 in Stevenage, Hertfordshire.[1] His father, Anthony Hamilton, is of Afro-Grenadian heritage, while his mother, Carmen Larbalestier, is a White British native of Birmingham,Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name making Lewis mixed-race.[2]Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name After his parents separated when he was two years old, he lived with his mother and older half-sisters until he was twelve,[3] then moved to live with his father, stepmother Linda, and half-brother Nicolas, who is also a professional racer.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name[4] Raised as a Catholic,Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name Hamilton’s early environment shaped much of his upbringing.

At five years old, his father gifted him a radio-controlled car, which led to a second-place finish at the national level against adult competitors in the British Radio Car Association (BRCA) championship just one year later.[5] Being the only black child racing within his club exposed him to racial abuse.[6]Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name For Christmas at age six, he received a go-kart; his father committed to supporting his racing ambitions provided he maintained strong academic performance.[7] To finance this pursuit, Anthony Hamilton left his IT management position and took on several jobs—including sales roles and manual labor—while traveling to races.[8]Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name He eventually established an IT company and served as Lewis’s manager until early 2010.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad nameCite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad nameCite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name

Hamilton attended The John Henry Newman School, a voluntary aided Catholic secondary institution located in Stevenage.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name At five years old, he began practicing karate as a means to protect himself from bullying,Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name though he was once suspended due to being falsely accused of assaulting another student.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name Additionally, he played football alongside future England international Ashley Young,[9] and has mentioned that had Formula One not worked out, he might have pursued football or cricket professionally.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name

In February 2001, Hamilton enrolled at Cambridge Arts and Sciences (CATS), a private sixth-form college based in Cambridge.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name

Karting

Hamilton embarked on his karting journey in 1993, swiftly achieving race victories and securing championships in the cadet category. At the age of ten, he became the youngest competitor to win the British cadet karting title. During that same year, he approached McLaren F1 team principal Ron Dennis at the Autosport Awards, sharing his dream of driving for McLaren. Dennis responded by writing in Hamilton’s autograph book: "Call me in nine years, and we’ll arrange something then."

By age 12, betting agencies like Ladbrokes offered odds of 40/1 on Hamilton winning a Formula One race before turning 23, and 150/1 on him becoming World Drivers' Champion before 25. Following Hamilton’s second victories in both the Super One series and British championship in 1998, Dennis extended an invitation for him to join the McLaren Young Driver Programme, which included a potential future Formula One seat—making Hamilton the youngest driver ever to secure such an agreement.

Hamilton advanced through karting classes including Intercontinental A (1999), Formula A (2000), and Formula Super A (2001), claiming the European Championship title in 2000 with a perfect points tally. Racing alongside future F1 driver Nico Rosberg for TeamMBM.com, he was honored as a "Rising Star" by the British Racing Drivers' Club that same year. In a 2001 karting event featuring Michael Schumacher, Hamilton placed seventh; Schumacher commended his skill and strong competitive mindset.

Formula Renault and Formula Three

Hamilton launched his car racing career during the 2001 British Formula Renault Winter Series, finishing fifth overall. This performance led to a full season in the 2002 Formula Renault UK championship with Manor Motorsport, where he secured third place overall and ranked fifth in the Formula Renault Eurocup despite contesting only four rounds. Remaining with Manor for another year, Hamilton dominated Formula Renault UK in 2003 by winning ten out of fifteen races to claim the championship decisively. After securing this title, he made his debut in the British Formula 3 Championship finale but encountered difficulties due to a puncture and a crash.

In 2002, Hamilton expressed his intention to gain experience prior to entering Formula One rather than aiming to be its youngest driver. His debut in the 2004 Formula 3 Euro Series came with Manor, finishing fifth in the standings. He also triumphed at the Bahrain F3 Superprix and participated twice in the Macau F3 Grand Prix. Although Williams nearly signed him, they withdrew after BMW declined to provide funding. Following a disagreement involving his father and McLaren executive Martin Whitmarsh about whether Hamilton should move up to GP2 or remain in Formula 3, he renewed his contract with McLaren.

Hamilton conducted his initial Formula One test with McLaren at Silverstone towards the end of 2004. For the 2005 Formula 3 Euro Series season, he switched to ASM, where he dominated by winning fifteen out of twenty races and securing thirteen pole positions. Additionally, he claimed victory at the Marlboro Masters of Formula 3 held at Zandvoort. As a result of this outstanding performance, British magazine Autosport ranked him twenty-fourth among their "Top 50 Drivers of 2005."

GP2

For the 2006 season, Hamilton joined ASM’s sister outfit, ART Grand Prix, and captured the championship on his first attempt, outperforming rival Nelson Piquet Jr.. He delivered a commanding win at the Nürburgring event despite receiving a pit lane speeding penalty. At his home race during the Silverstone round, Hamilton executed rare high-velocity overtakes through Becketts corners. In Istanbul, after spinning early and dropping to eighteenth place, he impressively recovered to finish second. Ultimately, Hamilton secured the title by inheriting the final point when Giorgio Pantano was disqualified from fastest lap honors in the Monza feature race.

McLaren (2007–2012)

Hamilton's triumph in the GP2 championship coincided with a vacancy at McLaren-Mercedes following Juan Pablo Montoya's transition to NASCAR and Kimi Räikkönen's transfer to Ferrari. To prepare for Formula One, he completed extensive testing in the McLaren MP4-21, sharing track time with Pedro de la Rosa and Gary Paffett. Although his appointment as McLaren’s second driver was confirmed, the announcement was postponed by nearly two months, reportedly to avoid overshadowing Michael Schumacher's retirement news.

2007–2008: Record-breaking debut seasons

During his inaugural season, Hamilton joined forces with two-time reigning World Champion Fernando Alonso at McLaren.Cite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag[10] During his initial campaign—hampered by the Mercedes W04's difficulties with tyre management—Hamilton secured fourth place overall, achieving five podium finishes and pole positions, including a victory at the .[11][12] Although Pirelli's tyre modifications contributed to his success, the latter part of the season proved challenging, resulting in only one additional podium finish.[13]

The introduction of new engine rules in , which required turbo-hybrid power units, marked the beginning of a period of dominance for Hamilton. Mercedes claimed victory in 16 out of 19 races, with Hamilton achieving a personal best of 11 wins amid a season-long championship battle against Rosberg. Despite encountering mid-season obstacles such as mechanical issues and an on-track collision with Rosberg, Hamilton clinched his second World Drivers' Championship at the final race in Abu Dhabi.[11]

Continuing to race under his karting number 44, Hamilton once again outpaced Rosberg in , securing 10 wins and matching the then-record of 17 podiums and 11 pole positions within the opening dozen races. Maintaining a championship lead throughout the year, he earned back-to-back titles for the first time.[14][11] Their rivalry reached its zenith at the , where Hamilton sealed the championship with three events remaining. Subsequently, he extended his contract with Mercedes for an additional three years in a deal reportedly valued at over  million,[15][16] which included provisions for retaining his image rights and championship-related memorabilia.[15]

In , Hamilton finished as runner-up to Rosberg by just five points following a difficult start characterized by poor launch performances and mechanical setbacks.[17][18] Mercedes adopted a policy allowing their drivers to race freely, which led to on-track incidents between Hamilton and Rosberg at both the Spanish and Austrian Grands Prix.[19] Midway through the season, Hamilton won six out of seven races, including overtaking Rosberg at the Hungarian GP to take the championship lead. However, an engine failure in Malaysia was a significant setback. He rebounded with three victories—among them his landmark 50th win and 100th podium—to enter the final race in Abu Dhabi trailing by twelve points.[17] In Abu Dhabi, defying team directives, Hamilton tried unsuccessfully to slow Rosberg by weaving him into traffic. Rosberg secured the championship before announcing his immediate retirement.[11][20] Although finishing second overall, Hamilton set records for most wins in a season without securing the title (10) and for accumulating the highest career points total.[21]

2017–2020: Consecutive Four-Time Champion

Following Rosberg's departure from the sport, Hamilton teamed up with Valtteri Bottas in . Ferrari became the primary challenger after changes to aerodynamic regulations, with Vettel initially leading the standings. After the summer break, Hamilton took advantage of Vettel’s mistakes and Mercedes’ resurgence, winning five out of six races, including the , where he set a new record for the highest number of pole positions. By season’s end, Hamilton secured 11 poles, nine victories, and equaled the record for most grand slams in a single year (3), clinching his fourth World Drivers' Championship at the with two events remaining.[11]

In , Ferrari continued to mount a strong challenge as Hamilton and Vettel battled closely for what was dubbed the "Fight for Five" championship. The lead exchanged hands until mid-season, but errors from Vettel starting at the allowed Hamilton to take control, winning multiple consecutive races and securing his fifth title at the Grand Prix. That year, Hamilton achieved 11 poles and wins out of 17 podium finishes, setting a new benchmark for most points accumulated in one season (408). Additionally, he inked a two-year contract extension reportedly worth up to million per year, making him Formula 1’s highest-earning driver.[22]

During , Hamilton maintained his lead throughout by leveraging Mercedes’ strong early form and successfully defending against challenges from teammate Bottas and Ferrari rivals after summer. He clinched his sixth championship at the with two rounds still left to run. Finishing with 11 wins in 17 podiums—matching his own record for most victories in a season—and accumulating 413 points, he significantly extended his points record.[23]

In the pandemic-affected season, shortened to 17 races, Hamilton dominated to claim his seventh Drivers' Championship, equaling Michael Schumacher’s record. He secured 10 pole positions and 11 wins—including his 92nd career victory at the , which set a new all-time wins record. Hamilton missed the due to COVID-19—the first time absent since his debut in 2007—but delivered an exceptional performance at the rain-soaked , sealing the title with three events remaining and finishing 124 points ahead of Bottas.[24][25][26]

2021: Championship Duel with Verstappen

The regulatory changes introduced in 2021 favored Red Bull’s performance improvements over Mercedes’, enabling Red Bull to secure five consecutive victories and take over the championship lead.[27] Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton quickly emerged as primary contenders, engaging in numerous on-track battles and collisions across Britain, Italy, and Saudi Arabia. They finished first and second in 14 out of 22 Grands Prix.[28] Hamilton reached significant milestones by achieving his 100th pole position and race win at the Spanish and Russian Grands Prix respectively.[29] A strong late-season comeback—including an impressive recovery drive at São Paulo—brought Hamilton level on points with Verstappen heading into the Abu Dhabi finale.[30] Nevertheless, a controversial last-lap safety car restart allowed Verstappen to overtake Hamilton and claim the championship.[31] During this period, Hamilton extended his £40 million annual contract with Mercedes by an additional two years.[32]

The Abu Dhabi finale generated intense controversy following race director Michael Masi’s decision to permit lapped cars to un-lap themselves under safety car conditions, which enabled Verstappen—on fresher soft tyres—to pass Hamilton on the final lap.[33][34] Subsequently, Masi was removed from his position, and an FIA investigation cited human error without altering the race outcome.[35] Despite this contentious conclusion, BBC Sport described the season as one of the most fiercely contested title battles in sporting history.

2022–2024: Challenges with Ground-Effect and Final Departure

In 2022, George Russell took over from Valtteri Bottas as Hamilton's teammate,[36] while Hamilton experienced his inaugural Formula One season without a victory amid extensive technical regulation shifts. The Mercedes W13 was plagued by pronounced porpoising problems, which Hamilton labeled as "undrivable," resulting in a back injury during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.[37][38] Throughout the early part of the season, he experimented heavily with various car configurations and achieved several podium finishes after significant upgrades were introduced.[39][40] Nevertheless, he ended the championship in sixth place, marking his first finish behind his teammate since 2016.[41]

Mercedes’ difficulties persisted into 2023,[42] with Hamilton experiencing yet another winless year dominated by Red Bull Racing. He secured multiple podiums and earned a record-setting ninth pole position at the Hungarian GP—the highest number of poles at a single event—surpassing legends Senna and Schumacher.[43] Amidst speculation about his future, Hamilton committed to a two-year contract extension valued at over £100 million to stay with Mercedes.[44]

Approaching the 2024 season, Hamilton activated an exit clause to depart Mercedes after the year concluded, expressing a desire for fresh challenges following more than ten years with the team.[45][46] Early in the season, difficulties adapting to the ground-effect dynamics of the Mercedes W15 contributed to inconsistent qualifying performances.[47][48][49] Improvements midway through the campaign enabled Hamilton to secure his ninth victory at the British GP,[50][51] setting new records for most wins at a single Grand Prix and becoming the first driver to win beyond their 300th race start.[52] At Hungary, he attained his 200th career podium,[53] followed by an additional triumph in Belgium.[54] Despite openly stating he was "looking forward to the end" of a difficult season,[55] he finished seventh in the drivers’ championship—his lowest career standing—22 points behind teammate Russell,[56][57]

Ferrari (2025–present)

After parting ways with Mercedes, Ferrari revealed a multi-season agreement to sign Hamilton for the 2025 season, replacing Carlos Sainz Jr. alongside Charles Leclerc.[58][59] This transfer marked Hamilton's inaugural season driving for a team not powered by Mercedes since his Formula One debut—a notable shift compared to his previous move from McLaren to Mercedes in 2013.[60][61]

Hamilton's first race with Ferrari saw him finish tenth at the Australian Grand Prix, hindered by strategic missteps,[62] followed by his first sprint race win in China. However, he was disqualified from sixth place in the main race due to excessive skid block wear.[63] He trailed teammate Leclerc in all six initial races and described the early phase as "painful".[64] His top results through mid-season included three fourth-place finishes at Emilia Romagna, Austria, and Britain.Cite error: Invalid parameter in <ref> tag

Formula One records

Hamilton made his Formula One debut at the 2007 Australian Grand Prix, becoming the first black driver to compete in the sport. He holds more than 100 F1 records, such as the highest number of race victories (),[65][66] pole positions (),[67][68] podium appearances (),[69][70] and total championship points ().[71] Upon winning the 2008 World Drivers' Championship, Hamilton became the youngest champion at that time, aged 23 years and 301 days.[72][73] He equaled the all-time record by securing his seventh championship in , matching Michael Schumacher.[74]

Further reading

  • (Available in paperback as well)
  • (Paperback edition also available)
  • (Also issued in paperback)

External links

















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  1. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Hamilton
  2. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Wolff
  3. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named DSpyHamilton
  4. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named timeonline_cool
  5. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named hamiltonf1fbio
  6. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named :1
  7. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named nutsref
  8. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named benson
  9. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named observer
  10. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named halloffame
  12. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  13. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  14. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Coulthard 2015
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named telegraph.co.uk
  16. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named review'16
  18. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  19. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Gregory 2016
  20. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named gpfansbio
  21. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  22. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Lewis Hamilton signs £40m-a-year Me
  23. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  24. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
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  26. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  27. ↑ Technical analyses highlighted Red Bull’s advantage linked to rule adjustments affecting Mercedes’ low-rake car design.
  28. ↑ Extensive Formula 1 coverage emphasized their fierce rivalry.
  29. ↑ He became the first driver to reach these milestones.
  30. ↑ This comeback was widely regarded as one of his finest performances.
  31. ↑ The FIA later acknowledged human error during race management but upheld the final results.
  32. ↑ Contract extension details were announced mid-season.
  33. ↑ The decision faced criticism due to procedural inconsistencies.
  34. ↑ Mercedes lodged protests that were dismissed by Formula 1 stewards.
  35. ↑ The FIA World Motor Sport Council confirmed these findings while maintaining the official results.
  36. ↑ Russell joined Mercedes alongside Hamilton.
  37. ↑ Porpoising negatively impacted both vehicle performance and driver well-being.
  38. ↑ Hamilton’s back issues affected his race outcomes.
  39. ↑ Upgrades enhanced competitiveness midway through the season.
  40. ↑ Hamilton extended his record streaks for consecutive seasons with podiums and laps led.
  41. ↑ Russell concluded fourth, outscoring Hamilton by 35 points.
  42. ↑ Competitiveness concerns remained as the new season began.
  43. ↑ Record-setting pole position achievement.
  44. ↑ Extension confirmed amid ongoing rumors regarding his career plans.
  45. ↑ Hamilton cited the pursuit of new opportunities despite his long-standing Mercedes tenure.
  46. ↑ The official statement confirmed their separation.
  47. ↑ A mismatch between driving style and car behavior influenced results.
  48. ↑ Analyses pointed out struggles with current vehicle dynamics.
  49. ↑ An article examined qualifying inconsistencies despite record pole achievements.
  50. ↑ The mid-season turnaround credited for breakthrough success.
  51. ↑ The team resolved correlation issues, enhancing car handling and driver satisfaction.
  52. ↑ Historic milestones reached during the 2024 season.
  53. ↑ Consistent driving led to significant podium milestones.
  54. ↑ Further victories noted amid variable results throughout the year.
  55. ↑ Hamilton conveyed mixed sentiments regarding late-season form.
  56. ↑ This season marked the conclusion of his era at Mercedes, ending one of Formula One’s most successful partnerships.[lower-alpha 1]
  57. ↑ The partnership remains among Formula One’s most accomplished by numerous metrics.
  58. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named contract
  59. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named BBC24
  60. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Athletic1Feb
  61. ↑ Experts highlighted this as a significant manufacturer affiliation change.
  62. ↑ Early difficulties demonstrated challenges adapting to Ferrari’s car setup.
  63. ↑ A technical violation resulted in disqualification despite a strong sprint showing.
  64. ↑ Hamilton himself acknowledged the adjustment period affecting performance.
  65. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  66. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  67. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  68. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  69. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  70. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  71. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  72. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  73. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  74. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
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