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 highly accomplished British Formula One racing driver currently competing for Ferrari. He holds a joint-record of seven Formula One World Drivers' Championship titles, sharing the honor with Michael Schumacher. Hamilton also holds the Formula One records for the most race wins (105), pole positions (104), and podium finishes (202), establishing him as one of the sport's most dominant and successful figures.

Sections (7)

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

2007: Hungarian Grand Prix Qualifying Incident

During the 2007 Hungarian Grand Prix qualifying session, Lewis Hamilton ignored team requests to let Fernando Alonso pass, leading to Alonso delaying Hamilton in the pits. Alonso received a grid penalty, and McLaren lost Constructors' Championship points. Hamilton expressed regret over the points loss and was reported to have sworn at Dennis, which McLaren later denied.

2007: Racist Abuse at Chinese Grand Prix

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

2008: Racist Abuse at Circuit de Catalunya

During pre-season testing at the Circuit de Catalunya in 2008, Lewis Hamilton was heckled and abused by Spanish spectators who wore black face paint and wigs, prompting the FIA to launch a "Race Against Racism" campaign.

2008: Tax Arrangements Criticism

In 2008, Lewis Hamilton's tax arrangements were singled out in a report by Christian Aid and received criticism from UK members of parliament for avoiding UK taxes.

2010: Overtaking the safety car at the 2010 European Grand Prix

Earlier in his career, Hamilton was criticised for being hot-headed at times. He overtook the safety car at the 2010 European Grand Prix in Valencia. The same thing he did in Imola in the GP2 Series

2011: Ali G Comment

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, Joseph Harker of The Guardian highlighted double standards in British newspapers' treatment of Lewis Hamilton compared to other British drivers, suggesting his skin color played a role.

2014: Hamilton Addresses Tax Concerns

In 2014, Lewis Hamilton addressed concerns about his tax contributions, stating that he pays tax in the UK and other countries where he earns money.

2016: Hamilton finishes runner-up to Rosberg

In 2016, Lewis Hamilton finished runner-up to Rosberg in the championship. Despite winning six of seven races mid-season, including the Hungarian Grand Prix, an engine blowout in Malaysia and team order defiance in Abu Dhabi led to Rosberg taking the title. Hamilton broke the record for most wins in a season without becoming the champion.

November 2017: Paradise Papers Leak

Following the leak of the Paradise Papers in November 2017, it was reported that Lewis Hamilton had avoided paying £3.3 million of VAT on his private jet, worth £16.5 million.

2017: 44IP opposes Swatch Group's trade mark application

In 2017, Hamilton's rights management company, 44IP, opposed Swatch Group's application to register a trade mark for "HAMILTON INTERNATIONAL" in Europe for watches, alleging bad faith and unfair competition.

December 2018: BBC Sports Personality of the Year Controversy

In December 2018, Lewis Hamilton caused controversy at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards by saying "to get out of the slums", when referring to his childhood, before correcting himself. He later apologized for his remarks on Instagram.

2018: Criticism of Lack of Diversity

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

September 2019: Sale of Private Jet

Lewis Hamilton's private jet, which was involved in a VAT avoidance scheme, was sold in September 2019.

2019: Media Scrutiny with Racist Undertones

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

May 2020: Criticism of Formula One's Silence

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

December 2020: Hamilton confronts human rights in Bahrain

In December 2020, Lewis Hamilton spoke out on human rights in Bahrain and allegations of sportswashing, addressing the case of an 11-year-old boy whose father was facing the death penalty.

2020: Wearing "arrest the cops who killed Breonna Taylor" t-shirt and FIA ban on unofficial attire

In 2020, during the Tuscan Grand Prix weekend, Lewis Hamilton wore a t-shirt stating "arrest the cops who killed Breonna Taylor", which led to the FIA barring drivers from wearing unofficial attire on the podium and in media interviews.

2020: EUIPO rejects 44IP's arguments

In 2020, the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) ruled against 44IP's arguments in the trade mark dispute, stating there was no bad faith by Swatch Group, as "HAMILTON INTERNATIONAL" had been in use since 1892, and that the "LEWIS HAMILTON" trade mark did not solely protect the word "HAMILTON".

2021: Online Racist Abuse After British Grand Prix

Following a controversial win at the 2021 British Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton was subjected to online racist abuse, which was condemned by Mercedes, Formula One, and the FIA.

2021: Hamilton denied the championship

In 2021, Lewis Hamilton battled Max Verstappen for the title, engaging in on-track battles and collisions. He achieved his 100th pole position and race win. Despite leading the majority of the race in Abu Dhabi, Hamilton was denied the championship by a last-lap overtake from Verstappen. During the year, Hamilton extended his contract with Mercedes.

2021: Surpassing 100 Race Wins and Pole Positions

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

2021: Hamilton criticizes anti-LGBT law and LGBT rights

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