From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Lewis Hamilton made an impact.
Sir Lewis Hamilton is a highly accomplished British Formula One racing driver currently competing for Ferrari. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest F1 drivers of all time, having secured a joint-record seven World Drivers' Championship titles, sharing the honor with Michael Schumacher. Beyond his championship wins, Hamilton holds numerous records, including the most wins (105), pole positions (104), and podium finishes (203), solidifying his place as a dominant force in the sport.
In 1993, Alain Prost won his fourth and final World Driver's Championship title.
In 1993, Lewis Hamilton began his karting career, marking the start of his journey in motorsports.
2015 was the first season since 1994 that the Formula One field did not have a car bearing the number 1, as Alain Prost had retired after winning the 1993 World Drivers' Championship.
In 2008, Hamilton became the first British driver to win the World Drivers' Championship since Damon Hill in 1996.
In 1998, Ron Dennis offered Lewis Hamilton a role in the McLaren-Mercedes Young Driver Programme, following his second Super One series and British championship wins. The contract included an option of a future Formula One seat.
In 1998, Ron Dennis signed Lewis Hamilton to the McLaren-Mercedes Young Driver Programme after Hamilton's success in karting.
In 1999, Lewis Hamilton continued his progress in the Intercontinental A karting ranks.
In 2000, Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg were teammates in karting, racing for Mercedes Benz McLaren in Formula A, where Hamilton became European champion.
In 2000, Lewis Hamilton became European Champion in Formula A with maximum points. The same year, he was made a "Rising Star" Member by the British Racing Drivers' Club.
In 2000, Lewis Hamilton won the Karting World Cup and European Championship, marking further progression in his early racing career.
In 2001, Lewis Hamilton began his car racing career in the British Formula Renault Winter Series, finishing fifth in the standings.
In 2001, Michael Schumacher made a one-off return to karts and competed against Lewis Hamilton in Formula Super A. Hamilton finished the final in seventh place, four places behind Schumacher.
In 2002, Lewis Hamilton participated in a full Formula Renault UK campaign with Manor Motorsport, finishing third overall and fifth in the Formula Renault Eurocup.
In late 2004, Lewis Hamilton had his first Formula One test with McLaren at Silverstone.
In 2005, Lewis Hamilton dominated the Formula 3 Euro Series season with ASM, winning 15 of 20 rounds and securing 13 pole positions. He also won the Marlboro Masters of Formula 3 at Zandvoort.
In 2005, after initial contract issues and discussions about moving to GP2, Lewis Hamilton re-signed with McLaren to continue his development.
As a result of the events over the 2007 season, the relationship between Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso reportedly collapsed, with the pair not on speaking terms for a short period.
At the 2007 Hungarian Grand Prix, during the final qualifying session, Lewis Hamilton went out on track ahead of Fernando Alonso and ignored requests from the team to let him through. Alonso was then delayed in the pits by Hamilton and thus unable to set a final lap time before the end of the session. Alonso was relegated to sixth place on the starting grid, promoting Hamilton to first, while McLaren was docked Constructors' Championship points.
In 2007, Lewis Hamilton debuted at the Australian Grand Prix, becoming the first black driver to compete in Formula One.
In 2007, tensions arose between Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso, and McLaren after Hamilton finished second behind Alonso at Monaco. The FIA investigated whether McLaren had broken rules by enforcing team orders, but McLaren denied favouring Alonso, and the FIA vindicated the team.
In June 2008, the Lewis Hamilton Foundation was registered, providing grants and donations to charitable causes.
In 2008, Lewis Hamilton partnered with Heikki Kovalainen, securing five race victories and ten podium finishes. He engaged in a close title battle with Ferrari drivers and Robert Kubica. Winning the rain-affected British Grand Prix by over a minute, Hamilton's performance was hailed as one of the greatest in Formula One history. He ultimately won his maiden title at the Brazilian Grand Prix, becoming the then-youngest World Drivers' Champion.
In 2008, Lewis Hamilton won his maiden Formula One World Drivers' Championship, becoming the then-youngest World Drivers' Champion after a title-deciding overtake on the last lap of the last race of the season.
In November 2008, Fernando Alonso and McLaren terminated their contract by mutual consent, ending his and Lewis Hamilton's time as teammates.
In the 2008 British Grand Prix, Hamilton won by over a minute, the largest margin of victory recorded since 1995.
With his victory at the 2008 World Drivers' Championship, Lewis Hamilton became the then-youngest driver to win the title, aged 23 years and 301 days.
In 2009, McLaren faced a challenging start due to major technical regulation changes. Hamilton struggled initially, but major upgrades at the German Grand Prix dramatically improved the car's performance. From that point onward, Hamilton advanced in the standings, securing two race victories and three additional podium finishes.
In 2017, Fernando Alonso praised Lewis Hamilton, saying "[Hamilton] was able to win with a dominant car, with a good car like 2010 or 2012, or with bad cars like 2009 and 2011. Not all the champions can say that."
In 2010, Hamilton was partnered by Jenson Button and engaged in a four-way title battle with Alonso, Vettel, and Webber. He secured McLaren's only pole position of the season at the Canadian Grand Prix and led the championship after winning the race. However, misfortunes in the latter half of the season resulted in Hamilton losing vital points, ultimately finishing fourth in the standings as Vettel won the title.
In 2010, Lewis Hamilton was involved in a four-way title battle, achieving multiple race wins throughout the season while driving for McLaren.
In 2017, Fernando Alonso praised Lewis Hamilton, saying "[Hamilton] was able to win with a dominant car, with a good car like 2010 or 2012, or with bad cars like 2009 and 2011. Not all the champions can say that."
In early 2010, Anthony Hamilton ceased being Lewis Hamilton's manager, after having supported his racing career since childhood.
2011 was a challenging year for Hamilton. He was out-scored by his teammate for the first time. Setbacks in his private life and on-track collisions contributed to inconsistent performances. Hamilton finished fifth in the standings with three race wins and vowed to return to form.
In 2017, Fernando Alonso praised Lewis Hamilton, saying "[Hamilton] was able to win with a dominant car, with a good car like 2010 or 2012, or with bad cars like 2009 and 2011. Not all the champions can say that."
In March 2012, Hamilton traveled to the Philippines and made a short film about Manila's street children for UNICEF, which helped raise over £4.9 million.
In October 2012, while in India for the Grand Prix, Hamilton visited a UNICEF-funded newborn care unit and nutrition centre.
In 2012, McLaren emerged as contenders, with Hamilton in title contention during the first half of the season. However, inconsistent results and mechanical failures plagued the latter half, leading to a fourth-place finish. Despite achieving four race wins and a season-high seven pole positions, Hamilton lost an estimated 110 points due to retirements and misfortunes. Prior to the end of 2012, Hamilton announced that he would be joining Mercedes for the 2013 season.
In 2017, Fernando Alonso praised Lewis Hamilton, saying "[Hamilton] was able to win with a dominant car, with a good car like 2010 or 2012, or with bad cars like 2009 and 2011. Not all the champions can say that."
Lewis Hamilton signed a £50 million contract to stay with Mclaren until the end of 2012.
2013 marked the end of a period where Hamilton did not finish higher than fourth in the Drivers' Championship.
According to Forbes, from 2013 to 2021, Hamilton was also the highest-paid Formula One driver.
From 2013, Lewis Hamilton teamed up again with Nico Rosberg at Mercedes, who he had previously raced with in karts in the early 2000s.
In 2012, Hamilton announced that he would be joining Mercedes for the 2013 season.
In 2013, Hamilton became the Global Education Ambassador for Save the Children, supporting and promoting its education campaigns.
In 2013, Hamilton moved from McLaren to Mercedes, which was noted as one of the most unexpected driver transfers in Formula One history before his move to Ferrari in 2025.
In 2013, Hamilton signed with Mercedes, reuniting with Nico Rosberg. The move was considered a gamble. Amidst Mercedes W04's tyre management struggles, Hamilton finished fourth, securing five podium finishes and pole positions, with only one converted into a race victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix. He endured a difficult latter half of the season, managing only one podium finish.
In 2013, Lewis Hamilton joined Mercedes and was paired alongside his old karting teammate and friend Nico Rosberg.
From 2014, Mercedes began a period of dominance in Formula One.
From the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix, Hamilton remained unbeaten in every race affected by wet weather until 2019.
In 2014, Hamilton clinched his second World Championship title with Mercedes, leading to declarations that he was the best driver of his generation.
In 2014, Hamilton traveled to Haiti and made a short film about child malnutrition, which was shown on ITV1 during Soccer Aid and helped raise over £6 million for UNICEF.
In 2014, Lewis Hamilton won his second Formula One World Drivers' Championship title with Mercedes.
In 2014, new Formula One regulations allowed drivers to select a unique car number for their careers. Lewis Hamilton chose to use 44, which was his number in karting, inspired by his father's Vauxhall Cavalier license plate 'F44'.
The 2014 season brought changes to engine regulations, contributing to a successful era for Hamilton. Mercedes won 16 of 19 races, with Hamilton securing 11 victories in a duel against Rosberg. Despite mid-season misfortunes, Hamilton clinched his second World Drivers' Championship at the final round in Abu Dhabi.
Ahead of the 2015 Monaco Grand Prix weekend, Lewis Hamilton signed a contract to stay with Mercedes until the end of the 2018 season in a deal reportedly worth more than £100 million over the three years.
Before the start of the 2015 season, Lewis Hamilton announced that he would not switch his car number to 1, despite having the option as the reigning World Champion, and would continue to race with his career number 44.
In 2015, Hamilton secured his third World Championship title with Mercedes, further solidifying his status as the best driver of his generation.
In 2015, Hamilton secured his third World Drivers' Championship, fending off Rosberg's challenge. Winning 10 races and leading the championship throughout the season, Hamilton achieved his first back-to-back championships. The rivalry with Rosberg intensified, and Hamilton extended his contract with Mercedes.
In 2015, Hamilton took part in an exhibition to highlight UNICEF's work and its twenty-year partnership with Starwood Hotels.
In 2015, Lewis Hamilton was ranked as the richest British sportsperson, with an estimated personal fortune of £88 million.
In 2015, Lewis Hamilton won his third Formula One World Drivers' Championship title with Mercedes, continuing his dominance in the sport.
From 2014 to 2016, Mercedes continued a period of dominance in Formula One.
In 2016, Hamilton finished ahead of his teammate, marking this season as the last time he would achieve this milestone until 2022.
In 2016, Hamilton finished runner-up to Rosberg. After a challenging start due to poor race-starts and mechanical failures, he won six of seven races mid-season. Despite engine blowout in Malaysia, Hamilton entered the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix trailing Rosberg by 12 points, and attempted to slow Rosberg down to allow other drivers to overtake him, but was unsuccessful. Although Hamilton had a season-high 10 race victories, Rosberg took the title before retiring.
In 2016, Nico Rosberg retired from formula 1, thus ending the partnership of Hamilton and Rosberg at Mercedes
In June 2017, Hamilton joined the Super Dads initiative, a UNICEF campaign highlighting the role of fathers in childhood development.
In August 2017, Hamilton visited Havana with UNICEF to learn about its development programs in Cuba.
After winning his fourth title in 2017, Lewis Hamilton entered the 2017 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in a gold helmet with four stars adorning the top of the helmet with the words "World Champion".
From 2017, Hamilton finished 33 consecutive races in point-scoring positions, demonstrating his consistency.
In 2017, Fernando Alonso praised Lewis Hamilton, saying "[Hamilton] was able to win with a dominant car, with a good car like 2010 or 2012, or with bad cars like 2009 and 2011. Not all the champions can say that."
In 2017, Ferrari produced a car that was capable of fighting for the championship. Sebastian Vettel, driving for Ferrari, enjoyed an early lead on points, but Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton fought back to reduce point deficits and ultimately won the championship.
In 2017, Hamilton partnered with Valtteri Bottas. After Ferrari emerged as the team to beat, Vettel led the standings throughout the first half of the season. After the summer break, Hamilton won five in six races, and won his fourth World Drivers' title at the Mexican Grand Prix with two races to spare, registering a total of 11 pole positions, nine race victories, and equalling the record for most grand slams in a season (3).
In 2017, Lewis Hamilton claimed his fourth Formula One World Drivers' Championship title after overturning a mid-season points deficit to Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari.
In 2018, Hamilton and Vettel engaged in a close battle for their fifth title, but Vettel made errors in the German Grand Prix which led to Hamilton to clinch his fifth title at the Mexican Grand Prix. He secured 11 pole positions and race victories and set a record for most points scored in a season (408). Hamilton also signed a two-year contract extension with Mercedes, becoming the best-paid Formula One driver in history.
In 2018, Hamilton criticized the lack of diversity in Formula One, noting that "nothing's changed" since his debut 11 years prior.
In 2018, Hamilton raised £6,411 for the Small Steps Project through charity auctions.
In 2018, Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes fought back to reduce point deficits and ultimately won the championship. There were some on-track flash points, most notably the 2017 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, when Vettel accused Hamilton of brake checking and drove into Hamilton in retaliation, earning a penalty, the pair developed a strong mutual respect in a hard but fairly contested fight.
In 2018, Lewis Hamilton used a gold helmet design with five stars.
In 2018, Lewis Hamilton won his fifth Formula One World Drivers' Championship title, once again overcoming a mid-season deficit to Sebastian Vettel.
In 2018, it was reported that Lewis Hamilton had a net worth of £159 million.
In the week leading up to the 2018 German Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton signed a two-year contract with Mercedes, reported to be worth up to £40 million per year.
On the cool-down lap after Fernando Alonso's final race before his two-year hiatus in 2018, Lewis Hamilton joined Sebastian Vettel in paying tribute to Alonso by driving, each on one side, in a formation to the start-finish straight where all three executed donuts.
In September 2019, Hamilton co-founded Neat Burger, a vegan restaurant chain.
In 2019, Hamilton led the championship standings and clinched his sixth title at the United States Grand Prix. After scoring his sixth career grand slam at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Hamilton ended the season with 11 race wins and broke his own record for most points by scoring 413 points.
In 2019, Hamilton raised £6,000 for the Small Steps Project.
In 2019, Lewis Hamilton secured his sixth Formula One World Drivers' Championship title, further cementing his legacy in the sport.
In 2019, Lewis Hamilton used a gold helmet design with six stars.
Prior to the 2019 Monaco Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton wore a special helmet design featuring Niki Lauda's classic red-and-white palette with his name printed on the back, honoring the influence Lauda had on his career.
In January 2020, Hamilton donated US$500,000 to causes related to bushfires in Australia.
In May 2020, following the murder of George Floyd, Hamilton criticized prominent figures in Formula One for their silence on the issue via a post on Instagram.
In June 2020, Hamilton established The Hamilton Commission with the Royal Academy of Engineering to increase black engagement in STEM and motorsport.
In August 2020, Hamilton was listed as one of the high-profile investors who purchased fashion magazine W.
In September 2020, Hamilton launched Team X44 to compete in the all-electric SUV off-road racing series Extreme E from the 2021 season on.
In December 2020, Hamilton addressed human rights in Bahrain, speaking out against sportswashing and intervening in the case of a boy facing the death penalty, discussing it with human rights organizations and Bahraini officials.
Hamilton dominated the 2020 season to win his seventh Drivers' title, equalling the record for most titles set by Schumacher. He secured ten pole positions and eleven race victories, breaking the record for all-time most wins. Hamilton missed the Sakhir Grand Prix after contracting COVID-19. He clinched the title at the Turkish Grand Prix.
In 2020, Hamilton partnered with the #TOGETHERBAND charity campaign to promote the United Nations' 17 Global Goals, including visiting Alperton Community School to discuss the importance of education.
In 2020, Hamilton raised £4,000 for the Small Steps Project, with a donated race suit reportedly raising €20,000 for vulnerable children.
In 2020, Lewis Hamilton won his record-equalling seventh Formula One World Drivers' Championship and broke the all-time win record at the Portuguese Grand Prix.
In 2020, Lewis Hamilton won his seventh title, tying the all-time record set by Michael Schumacher.
In 2020, Lewis Hamilton wore his base helmet with gold outlines and accents, instead of a full gold design.
In 2020, Lewis Hamilton's fortune was an estimated £224 million, making him the richest British sports star in the history of the Sunday Times Rich List.
In the 2020 Turkish Grand Prix, Hamilton secured his seventh world title with a performance widely acclaimed as one of his greatest. He won by over 30 seconds, citing the race as his "stand-out" performance of the season.
In July 2021, Hamilton founded Mission 44, a charity for underprivileged youth, pledging £20 million. Mission 44 collaborates with Ignite, a joint foundation with Mercedes, focusing on diversity in motorsport.
According to Forbes, from 2013 to 2021, Hamilton was also the highest-paid Formula One driver.
In 2021, Hamilton criticized the Hungarian government's anti-LGBT law before the Hungarian Grand Prix and called out LGBT rights in Saudi Arabia before the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
In 2021, Hamilton had his last pole position until he secured his record ninth pole at the Hungarian Grand Prix in 2023.
In 2021, Lewis Hamilton became the first driver to surpass 100 race wins and pole positions, but ended as runner-up to Max Verstappen amidst a disputed finish.
In 2021, Lewis Hamilton recalled his rivalry with Sebastian Vettel, describing their battles as helping bring them closer together.
In 2021, Lewis Hamilton was named the most influential Black Briton in the 14th Powerlist, for his sporting success and his advocacy in the Black Lives Matter movement. He was also knighted in the 2021 New Year Honours for services to motorsports.
In the 2021 season, Team X44 finished 2nd in the inaugural Extreme E championship, behind Nico Rosberg's RXR team.
The 2021 season saw Max Verstappen and Hamilton emerge as title favourites, leading to intense on-track battles. Hamilton achieved his 100th pole position and race win. However, Hamilton was denied the championship by a last-lap overtake from Verstappen in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. During the year, Hamilton extended his contract with Mercedes.
In August 2022, Hamilton joined the ownership group of the National Football League's Denver Broncos.
In October 2022, Hamilton founded the production company Dawn Apollo Films.
By 2022, Lewis Hamilton's net worth had increased to £300 million.
In 2022, Lewis Hamilton had a winless campaign, marking a challenging season in his Formula One career.
In 2022, driving alongside George Russell, Hamilton experienced his first Formula One season without a race win or pole position. Due to technical regulation changes, Mercedes struggled with the W13 car, which suffered from porpoising, leading to a back injury for Hamilton at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. He finished sixth in the standings, behind his teammate Russell, marking the first time since 2016 he was outscored by a teammate.
In 2023, Hamilton co-founded Almave, a non-alcoholic blue agave spirit brand.
In 2023, Hamilton faced another winless season amidst Red Bull dominance, finishing third in the standings. He achieved his record ninth pole at the Hungarian Grand Prix and signed a two-year contract extension with Mercedes worth over £100 million.
In 2023, Lewis Hamilton experienced another winless campaign, continuing a period of challenges in his Formula One career.
In 2024, Hamilton triggered an exit clause in his contract with Mercedes, announcing his departure at the end of the season. Despite a challenging season adapting to the W15 car, he secured his ninth British Grand Prix victory, ending a 31-month winless drought. He finished the season a career-lowest seventh in the championship.
In 2024, during his twelfth and final season with Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton secured his record-breaking ninth British Grand Prix victory.
As of 2025, Lewis Hamilton is still the only black driver to race in Formula One
In 2025, Dawn Apollo Films is scheduled to co-produce the F1 film, starring Brad Pitt and directed by Joseph Kosinski, to be released on Apple TV+.
In 2025, Hamilton joined Ferrari on a multi-year agreement, replacing Carlos Sainz Jr. This marked the first time in his career where he did not drive for a Mercedes-powered team, resulting in a challenging debut season marked by fluctuating results, including a sprint victory at the Chinese Grand Prix before disqualification from the main race. He ended the season sixth in the championship.
In 2025, Lewis Hamilton is set to sign with Ferrari, marking a significant move in his Formula One career.
Upon signing with Ferrari in 2025, Lewis Hamilton reverted to a design reminiscent of the early stages of his Formula One career, featuring yellow as the base color along with red accents and championship stars, complemented by the Ferrari emblem replacing the Mercedes logo.
In 2026, Hamilton is reported to be contributing to shaping Ferrari's competitiveness ahead of regulation changes. He has been involved in meetings focusing on structural changes and car development, presenting detailed suggestions for improvement.
In 2026, Lewis Hamilton is contracted to remain with Ferrari until at least the end of the year.
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