Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Lewis Hamilton

Controversies are a part of history. Explore the biggest scandals linked to Lewis Hamilton.

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: Racist abuse at Chinese Grand Prix

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

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.

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: Ali G Quote

In 2011, after being summoned to the stewards in five of the opening six rounds, Lewis Hamilton quipped, "maybe it's because I'm black, that's what Ali G says."

2014: Double standards in media treatment

In 2014, The Guardian journalist Joseph Harker highlighted double-standards in Lewis Hamilton's treatment by British newspapers compared to other British drivers, suggesting his skin colour played a factor.

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.

November 2017: Paradise Papers Leak

In November 2017, the leak of the Paradise Papers revealed that Lewis Hamilton had avoided paying £3.3 million in VAT on his £16.5 million private jet.

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.

December 2018: Controversial comments at BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards

In December 2018, Lewis Hamilton caused controversy at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards by saying "It really was a dream for us all as a family to do something different. For us to get out of the slums" before correcting himself. He later apologised on Instagram.

2019: Ferdinand describes racist undertones in media scrutiny

In 2019, footballer Rio Ferdinand described media scrutiny of Lewis Hamilton as having "racist undertones", contrasting his treatment to that of Jenson Button.

May 2020: Criticism of Formula One Figures

Following the murder of George Floyd in May 2020, Lewis Hamilton criticized prominent figures in Formula One for their silence on the issue via Instagram.

December 2020: Human Rights Concerns in Bahrain

In December 2020, Lewis Hamilton addressed human rights issues in Bahrain, including the case of an 11-year-old boy whose father was facing the death penalty.

2020: FIA Bans Unofficial Attire

During the 2020 Tuscan Grand Prix weekend, Lewis Hamilton wore a t-shirt stating "arrest the cops who killed Breonna Taylor." Following an investigation, the FIA barred drivers from wearing unofficial attire on the podium and in media interviews.

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: Criticism of Anti-LGBT Law

In 2021, Lewis Hamilton strongly criticized the Hungarian government for their anti-LGBT law before the Hungarian Grand Prix and called out LGBT rights in Saudi Arabia before the inaugural Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

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.