Childhood and Education Journey of Lewis Hamilton in Timeline
Discover the defining moments in the early life of Lewis Hamilton. From birth to education, explore key events.
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).
January 1985: Lewis Hamilton Born
In January 1985, Lewis Carl Davidson Hamilton was born in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, to Anthony Hamilton and Carmen Larbalestier.
February 2001: Began studies at Cambridge Arts and Sciences (CATS)
In February 2001, Lewis Hamilton began his studies at Cambridge Arts and Sciences (CATS), a private sixth-form college in Cambridge.
2007: Moves to Switzerland
In 2007, Lewis Hamilton moved to Luins, Vaud, Switzerland, citing privacy as his main reason for leaving the UK. Taxation was also a factor.
2007: First Black Driver in Formula One
In 2007, Lewis Hamilton signed for McLaren and became the first black driver to compete in Formula One at the Australian Grand Prix.
June 2008: Lewis Hamilton Foundation Registered
In June 2008, the Lewis Hamilton Foundation was registered, providing grants and donations to a number of charitable causes.
2010: Driving Senna's McLaren MP4/4
In 2010, Hamilton drove Ayrton Senna's original title-winning McLaren MP4/4 as part of a tribute documentary by Top Gear.
2010: Moves to Monaco
In 2010, Lewis Hamilton moved to Monaco, purchasing a house worth a reported £10 million.
2011: Guest Appearance in Cars 2
In 2011, Lewis Hamilton made a guest appearance in Cars 2, voicing an anthropomorphic version of himself.
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."
March 2012: UNICEF Film in the Philippines
In March 2012, Lewis Hamilton travelled to the Philippines to make a short film about Manila's street children for UNICEF, which was shown on ITV1 during Soccer Aid and helped raise over £4.9 million.
October 2012: Visit to UNICEF-funded Center in India
In October 2012, while in India for the Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton visited a UNICEF-funded newborn care unit and nutrition centre.
2013: Joining Mercedes
For the 2013 season, Hamilton announced that he would be joining Mercedes, expressing gratitude for the opportunities and support he had received throughout his career, ending his 15-year association with McLaren.
2013: Adopts Roscoe
In 2013, Lewis Hamilton adopted his dog, Roscoe, who later died in September 2025.
2013: Global Education Ambassador for Save the Children
In 2013, Lewis Hamilton became the Global Education Ambassador for Save the Children, supporting and promoting its education campaigns.
2014: Tax Contributions Statement
In 2014, Lewis Hamilton told The Sunday Times that he pays tax in the UK, contributing to the country, even though he earns money in multiple countries due to racing in 19 different countries.
2014: UNICEF Film in Haiti
In 2014, Lewis Hamilton traveled to Haiti to make a short film about child malnutrition for UNICEF, which was shown on ITV1 during Soccer Aid and helped raise over £6 million.
2015: UNICEF Exhibition
In 2015, Lewis Hamilton took part in an exhibition to highlight UNICEF's work and to celebrate its twenty-year partnership with Starwood Hotels.
June 2017: Joins Super Dads Initiative
In June 2017, Lewis Hamilton joined the Super Dads initiative, a UNICEF campaign that highlighted the critical role played by fathers in early childhood development.
August 2017: Visit to Havana with UNICEF
In August 2017, Lewis Hamilton visited Havana with UNICEF to learn more about its first development programmes in Cuba.
2017: Hamilton becomes vegan
In 2017, Lewis Hamilton declared that he had become vegan, citing concerns about the environmental impact of the global-warming gases emitted from the production of cows, the cruelty to animals, and his desire to lead a healthier life.
2017: Voice Command Assistant in Cars 3
In 2017, Lewis Hamilton voiced a voice command assistant in Cars 3.
2017: Maestro of Gran Turismo
Since 2017, Lewis Hamilton served as the "maestro" of the Gran Turismo series starting with Gran Turismo Sport.
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.
2018: Executive Producer of The Game Changers
In 2018, Lewis Hamilton is credited as an executive producer for the documentary film The Game Changers.
2018: TommyXLewis Clothing Line Launch
In 2018, Lewis Hamilton launched the clothing line TommyXLewis with Tommy Hilfiger during New York Fashion Week.
2018: Donation to the Small Steps Project
In 2018, Lewis Hamilton raised £6,411 for the Small Steps Project through charity auctions.
2018: Named PETA Person of the Year
In 2018, Lewis Hamilton was named PETA's Person of the Year for his vegan activism. Also in 2018, Hamilton mentioned in an interview that he gave up drinking alcohol a while ago.
2018: Appearance on Christina Aguilera's Album
In 2018, Lewis Hamilton, under the pseudonym XNDA, appeared on Christina Aguilera's album Liberation, featuring on the song "Pipe".
2018: Designer Clothing Line with Tommy Hilfiger
In 2018, after winning the Italian Grand Prix, Hamilton flew to Shanghai and New York to release his designer clothing line with Tommy Hilfiger, before flying back to win the next race in Singapore.
September 2019: Neat Burger Co-Founded
In September 2019, Lewis Hamilton co-founded Neat Burger, a vegan restaurant chain.
September 2019: Sale of Private Jet
In September 2019, Lewis Hamilton sold the private jet that was at the center of a VAT avoidance controversy.
November 2019: Time Trial Challenge DLC Pack Released
On November 28, 2019, Lewis Hamilton's Time Trial Challenge DLC pack was released for the game Gran Turismo Sport.
2019: Fundraising for the Small Steps Project
In 2019, Lewis Hamilton raised £6,000 for the Small Steps Project through charity auctions.
January 2020: Donation to Australian Bushfire Relief
In January 2020, Lewis Hamilton donated US$500,000 to causes relating to bushfires in Australia and announced his intention to be carbon neutral by the end of the year.
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.
June 2020: The Hamilton Commission Established
In June 2020, Lewis Hamilton established The Hamilton Commission with the Royal Academy of Engineering, aimed at increasing black people's engagement with STEM subjects and employment in motorsport and engineering.
July 2020: Confirmation of XNDA Identity
In July 2020, Lewis Hamilton confirmed that he was XNDA, who appeared on Christina Aguilera's album Liberation (2018), featuring on the song "Pipe".
August 2020: Investment in W Magazine
In August 2020, Daily Front Row listed Lewis Hamilton as one of the high-profile investors who purchased fashion magazine W.
September 2020: Team X44 Launched
In September 2020, Lewis Hamilton launched Team X44 to compete in the all-electric SUV off-road racing series Extreme E from the 2021 season.
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: #TOGETHERBAND Partnership
In 2020, Lewis Hamilton partnered with the charity campaign #TOGETHERBAND to promote the United Nations' 17 Global Goals and visited Alperton Community School to speak to students about education, acting as a GOAL 4 Ambassador.
2020: Additional Fundraising for the Small Steps Project
In 2020, Lewis Hamilton raised another £4,000 for the Small Steps Project. A donated race suit reportedly raised €20,000 for vulnerable children.
2020: Death of dog Coco
In 2020, Lewis Hamilton's second bulldog, Coco, died at the age of six.
July 2021: Launch of Mission 44 and Ignite
In July 2021, Lewis Hamilton founded Mission 44, a charity to support young people from under-represented backgrounds, and pledged £20 million. Mission 44 collaborates with Ignite, a joint foundation with Mercedes focusing on diversity in motorsport.
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: Team X44 Competition
In 2021, Lewis Hamilton's X44 team competed in the all-electric SUV off-road racing series Extreme E, finishing 2nd in the inaugural Extreme E championship.
2021: PORTL Hologram Tour
Throughout 2021, Lewis Hamilton toured the world via PORTL hologram, making its U.S. debut in Los Angeles in September.
January 2022: X44 Wins Sustainability Award
In January 2022, Team X44 were crowned inaugural winners of the Extreme E Sustainability Award.
March 2022: Name change to include mother's maiden name
In March 2022, Lewis Hamilton revealed that he was in the process of legally changing his name to include his mother's maiden name, Larbalestier, as a middle name.
August 2022: Joins Denver Broncos Ownership
In August 2022, Lewis Hamilton joined the ownership group of the National Football League's Denver Broncos.
October 2022: Dawn Apollo Films Founded
In October 2022, Lewis Hamilton founded the production company Dawn Apollo Films.
2022: Declined Role in Top Gun: Maverick
In 2022, Lewis Hamilton revealed he was offered a role as a fighter pilot in the film Top Gun: Maverick by Tom Cruise but had to decline due to Formula One commitments.
November 2023: Fortnite Player Skin
In November 2023, Epic Games added a cosmetic Lewis Hamilton player skin to Fortnite, including a likeness of Hamilton's dog, Roscoe.
2023: Co-founded Almave
In 2023, Lewis Hamilton co-founded Almave, a non-alcoholic blue agave spirit brand. Pernod Ricard acquired a minority stake to support global distribution.
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: Executive Producer on Motorcycle Mary
In 2024, Lewis Hamilton was one of the executive producers on Motorcycle Mary, a short documentary film about Mary McGee.
February 2025: Lululemon Brand Ambassador
In February 2025, Lululemon announced Lewis Hamilton as one of its brand ambassadors, including collaboration with their research and design teams as well as advocacy initiatives.
September 2025: Death of Dog Roscoe
On 29 September 2025, Lewis Hamilton revealed that his dog, Roscoe, had died the previous day, following complications from pneumonia.
2025: F1 Film Release
In 2025, Dawn Apollo Films will co-produce and release F1, starring Brad Pitt and directed by Joseph Kosinski, on Apple TV+.
2025: Neat Burger Shuts Down
In 2025, Neat Burger shut down after recording over US$24 million in net losses.
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