Challenges in the Life of Lewis Hamilton in a Detailed Timeline

A closer look at the defining struggles that shaped Lewis Hamilton's life and career.

Lewis Hamilton is a British Formula One racing driver currently driving for Ferrari. He is statistically one of the most successful F1 drivers of all time, holding a joint-record seven World Drivers' Championship titles, tied with Michael Schumacher. He also holds records for the most wins (105), pole positions (104), and podium finishes (202).

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

December 2007: Suspended from driving in France

On 18 December 2007, Lewis Hamilton was suspended from driving in France for a month after being caught speeding at 196 km/h on a French motorway; his Mercedes-Benz CLK was also impounded.

2007: Qualifying incident at Hungarian Grand Prix

At the 2007 Hungarian Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton ignored requests from the team to let Fernando Alonso through during the final qualifying session, leading to Alonso delaying Hamilton in the pits. Alonso was relegated to sixth place, Hamilton started first, and McLaren was docked Constructors' Championship points.

2007: Racist abuse at Chinese Grand Prix

In 2007, Lewis Hamilton suffered racist abuse from Spanish Formula One supporters at the Chinese Grand Prix.

2007: Tensions with Alonso and FIA investigation

In 2007, tensions arose between Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso, his teammate, 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.

2007: Relationship collapse with Alonso

In 2007, the relationship between Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso reportedly collapsed as a result of the season's events, with the pair not on speaking terms for a short period.

2007: Debut Race

In 2020, Hamilton missed the Sakhir Grand Prix after contracting COVID-19, it was his first race absence since his debut in 2007.

2008: Tax Arrangement Criticisms

In 2008, Lewis Hamilton faced criticism from members of parliament for avoiding UK taxes, and his tax arrangements were highlighted in a report by Christian Aid.

2008: Racist abuse during pre-season testing

In 2008, Lewis Hamilton was heckled and abused during pre-season testing at the Circuit de Catalunya by Spanish spectators wearing black face paint and black wigs, prompting a warning from the FIA.

2009: Not Finishing Higher Than Fourth

From 2009 to 2013, Lewis Hamilton did not finish higher than fourth in the Drivers' Championship.

2009: Challenging start and MP4-24 car upgrade

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 performance of the MP4-24 car. He then advanced from eleventh to fifth in the standings, securing two race victories.

2010: Four-way title battle and misfortunes

In 2010, Hamilton partnered with Jenson Button and engaged in a four-way title battle with Alonso, Sebastian Vettel, and Mark Webber. He secured McLaren's only pole position at the Canadian Grand Prix and led the championship after winning the race. However, misfortunes and mechanical failures led to him losing vital points and ultimately finishing fourth in the standings as Vettel won the title.

2010: Involvement in Four-Way Title Battle

In 2010, Lewis Hamilton was involved in a four-way title battle during his time at McLaren, achieving multiple race wins.

2010: Disqualification at the 2010 European Grand Prix

In 2010, during the Formula One European Grand Prix in Valencia, Hamilton repeated his earlier mistake from the GP2 Series and was disqualified for overtaking the safety car.

2010: Victoria Police incident

Two days before the 2010 Australian Grand Prix, Victoria Police witnessed Lewis Hamilton "deliberately losing traction" in his silver Mercedes-AMG C63, resulting in the car being impounded for 48 hours and Hamilton being fined A$500.

2011: Challenging season and inconsistent performances

In 2011, Hamilton had a challenging year, marked by setbacks in his private life and on-track collisions, leading to inconsistent performances. He finished fifth in the standings with three race wins but secured the only non-Red Bull pole position at the Korean Grand Prix.

2012: Title contention and mechanical failures

In 2012, McLaren was a title contender, with Hamilton remaining in contention during the first half of the season. However, he endured a challenging latter half with inconsistent results and mechanical failures, leading to five retirements. He finished fourth in the standings with four race wins and seven pole positions. He announced he would be joining Mercedes for the 2013 season.

2013: Not Finishing Higher Than Fourth

From 2009 to 2013, Lewis Hamilton did not finish higher than fourth in the Drivers' Championship.

2016: Runner-up in the championship

In 2016, Hamilton finished runner-up in the championship to Rosberg. He secured a season-highest 10 race victories and broke the record for most wins in a season without becoming the champion, along with the record for most career points of all-time. He finished the season 12 points adrift of Rosberg. He defied team orders in Abu Dhabi.

2016: Finished Behind Teammate

In 2016, Lewis Hamilton finished behind his teammate in the standings for the first time in his Formula One career.

2017: Ferrari challenges for championship

In 2017, Ferrari produced a car capable of fighting for the championship, leading to on-track flash points, including the Azerbaijan Grand Prix where Vettel drove into Hamilton in retaliation for an alleged brake check.

2017: 44IP opposes trademark registration

In 2017, Lewis Hamilton's rights management company, 44IP, opposed Swatch Group's application to register a trade mark for "HAMILTON INTERNATIONAL" in Europe.

2018: Diversity Criticism

In 2018, Lewis Hamilton criticized the lack of diversity in Formula One, noting that "nothing's changed" since his debut 11 years prior.

2019: End of Wet Weather Streak

In the 2019 German Grand Prix, Max Verstappen broke Hamilton's almost five-year streak of remaining unbeaten in wet weather races.

2020: Seventh Drivers' title

In 2020, Hamilton dominated the season to win his seventh Drivers' title, equalling Schumacher's record. He secured 10 pole positions and 11 race victories, breaking the record for all-time most wins at the Portuguese Grand Prix. He missed the Sakhir Grand Prix after contracting COVID-19.

2020: EUIPO rejects 44IP arguments

In 2020, the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) rejected 44IP's arguments, ruling that there had been no bad faith by Swatch Group and that 44IP's "LEWIS HAMILTON" trade mark did not extend to the word "HAMILTON" alone.

2021: Surpassed 100 race wins and pole positions

In 2021, Lewis Hamilton became the first driver to surpass 100 race wins and pole positions, finishing as runner-up to Max Verstappen amidst a disputed finish.

2021: Online racist abuse after British Grand Prix win

In 2021, Lewis Hamilton was subjected to online racist abuse following a controversial win at the British Grand Prix, leading to a joint statement condemning the abuse from Mercedes, Formula One, and the FIA.

2021: Championship Denied in Abu Dhabi

In 2021, regulation changes led to Red Bull challenging Mercedes, with Verstappen and Hamilton emerging as title favorites. Hamilton achieved his 100th pole position and race win. Entering the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix level on points, Hamilton was denied the championship by a last-lap overtake from Verstappen. He extended his contract with Mercedes for two additional years.

2022: Winless Campaign

In 2022, Lewis Hamilton had a winless campaign, marking a challenging season in his career.

2022: Challenging Season with Mercedes

In 2022, partnered with George Russell, Lewis Hamilton experienced his first Formula One season without a race win or pole position. Enduring a challenging campaign due to significant changes in technical regulations and issues with the W13 car, Hamilton finished sixth in the standings, behind his teammate for the first time since 2016.

2023: Another Winless Season Amidst Red Bull Dominance

In 2023, Hamilton endured another winless season due to Red Bull's dominance, despite securing several podium finishes and finishing third in the standings. He also secured his record ninth pole at the Hungarian Grand Prix, his first since 2021 and signed a two-year contract extension with Mercedes.

2023: Another Winless Campaign

In 2023, Lewis Hamilton experienced another winless campaign, continuing a period of challenges in his career.

September 2024: Battling depression since 13

In an interview in September 2024, Lewis Hamilton stated he has been battling depression from the age of 13.

2024: Difficulties with W15 Car

In 2024, Hamilton struggled to adapt to the W15 car, leading to inconsistent qualifying performances and a challenging season.

2024: Departure from Mercedes and British Grand Prix Victory

In 2024, Hamilton triggered an exit clause in his contract to leave Mercedes at the end of the season. He achieved his ninth British Grand Prix victory, ending a 31-month winless streak, and secured his 200th podium finish in Hungary. He finished the season a career-lowest seventh in the championship.