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.

Sir Lewis Hamilton is a highly accomplished British Formula One racing driver currently racing for Ferrari. He holds a joint-record of seven Formula One World Drivers' Championship titles, sharing the distinction with Michael Schumacher. Hamilton also boasts the most wins (105), pole positions (104), and podium finishes (202) in Formula One history, 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

January 1985: Lewis Hamilton's Birth

In January 1985, Lewis Carl Davidson Hamilton was born. He would go on to become a British racing driver, competing in Formula One and winning seven World Drivers' Championship titles.

1995: Largest Margin of Victory Since 1995

In 1995, the Australian Grand Prix set the precedent for the largest margin of victory, a record that stood until Hamilton's win in the 2008 British Grand Prix. This earlier race provided a historical benchmark for dominant victories in Formula One, serving as a reference point.

February 2001: Began Studies at Cambridge Arts and Sciences

In February 2001, Lewis Hamilton began his studies at Cambridge Arts and Sciences (CATS), a private sixth-form college in Cambridge.

June 2008: Registration of Lewis Hamilton Foundation

In June 2008, the Lewis Hamilton Foundation was registered, providing grants and donations to charitable causes.

2010: Drove Senna's McLaren MP4/4

In 2010, Hamilton drove Ayrton Senna's original title-winning McLaren MP4/4 as part of a BBC Top Gear tribute documentary. He also named Senna as the number one driver ever alongside fellow racing drivers. Hamilton's experience driving Senna's car was part of a broader tribute.

2011: Challenging Season with Setbacks

2011 was a challenging year for Lewis Hamilton, marking the first season he was out-scored by a teammate, Jenson Button. Setbacks in his private life and on-track collisions, contributed to inconsistent performances. Hamilton finished fifth in the standings with three race wins and secured the only non-Red Bull pole position of the season at the Korean Grand Prix.

2011: Remarks about Stewards

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 traveled to the Philippines to create a film about Manila's street children with UNICEF. The film was broadcast on ITV1 during Soccer Aid and raised over £4.9 million for UNICEF.

October 2012: UNICEF visit in India

In October 2012, while in India for the Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton visited a UNICEF-funded newborn care unit and nutrition center, highlighting his role in telling the stories of vulnerable children.

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: Statement on Tax Payments

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 internationally.

2014: UNICEF film in Haiti

In 2014, Lewis Hamilton traveled to Haiti where he made a short film about child malnutrition. The film was shown on ITV1 during Soccer Aid, and helped raise over £6 million for UNICEF.

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 special UNICEF campaign highlighting the critical role played by fathers in early childhood development.

August 2017: UNICEF visit to Havana

In August 2017, Lewis Hamilton visited Havana with UNICEF to learn more about its first development programs in Cuba.

2017: Hamilton Becomes Vegan

In 2017, Lewis Hamilton told the BBC that he had become vegan due to concerns about the environmental impact of the dairy and meat industries and animal cruelty.

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 when he said on live television, "It really was a dream for us all as a family to do something different. For us to get out of the slums" before immediately correcting himself.

2018: Criticism of Formula One Diversity

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

2018: Launch of TOMMYXLEWIS Clothing Line

In 2018, Lewis Hamilton launched the clothing line TOMMYXLEWIS during New York Fashion Week with Tommy Hilfiger and models Winnie Harlow and Hailey Baldwin.

2018: Donation to Small Steps Project

In 2018, Lewis Hamilton raised £6,411 for the Small Steps Project.

2018: Named PETA Person of the Year

In 2018, Lewis Hamilton was named the PETA Person of the Year for his vegan activism. He also stated that he gave up drinking 'a while ago'.

2018: Features on Christina Aguilera's song 'Pipe'

In 2018, Lewis Hamilton, under the pseudonym XNDA, featured on Christina Aguilera's song "Pipe".

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2018: Release of Designer Clothing Line

In 2018, after winning the Italian Grand Prix, Hamilton flew to Shanghai and New York to release his designer clothing line with Tommy Hilfiger. He then flew back to win the next race in Singapore, demonstrating his ability to balance his racing career with outside interests.

September 2019: Co-founding Neat Burger

In September 2019, Lewis Hamilton co-founded Neat Burger, a vegan restaurant chain which claimed to be the first international plant-based burger chain.

September 2019: Private Jet Sold

In September 2019, Lewis Hamilton sold his private jet, which had previously been the subject of controversy regarding VAT avoidance.

2019: Additional Donation to Small Steps Project

In 2019, Lewis Hamilton raised £6,000 for the Small Steps Project.

2019: Special helmet design honoring Niki Lauda

Prior to the 2019 Monaco Grand Prix, following the death of Niki Lauda, Lewis Hamilton wore a special helmet design featuring Lauda's classic red-and-white palette with his name printed on the back, honoring Lauda's influence on his career.

January 2020: Donation to Australian Bushfire Relief

In January 2020, Lewis Hamilton donated US$500,000 to causes related to the bushfires in Australia.

May 2020: Criticism of Formula One's silence on racism

In May 2020, following the murder of George Floyd, Lewis Hamilton criticized prominent figures in Formula One for their silence on the issue, posting his views on Instagram.

June 2020: Establishment of The Hamilton Commission

In June 2020, Lewis Hamilton established The Hamilton Commission with the Royal Academy of Engineering, aiming to increase black people's engagement with STEM subjects and employment in motorsport and engineering.

July 2020: Confirmation as XNDA

In July 2020, Lewis Hamilton confirmed that he was the singer XNDA, who featured on Christina Aguilera's 2018 song "Pipe", revealing he had been writing and recording music for ten years.

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August 2020: Investment in Fashion Magazine W

In August 2020, Daily Front Row listed Lewis Hamilton as one of a group of high-profile investors who purchased fashion magazine W.

September 2020: Launch of Team X44

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 and allegations of sportswashing, following a letter from an 11-year-old boy whose father faced the death penalty.

2020: Partnership with #TOGETHERBAND

In 2020, Lewis Hamilton partnered with the charity campaign #TOGETHERBAND to promote the United Nations' 17 Global Goals and visited Alperton Community School to emphasize the importance of education. As GOAL 4 Ambassador, he focused on quality education for children.

2020: Further Donations to Small Steps Project

In 2020, Lewis Hamilton raised another £4,000 for the Small Steps Project, and a donated race suit raised €20,000 for vulnerable children.

2020: Support for Racial Justice and FIA Restrictions

In 2020, Lewis Hamilton supported racial justice by wearing a t-shirt stating "arrest the cops who killed Breonna Taylor" during the Tuscan Grand Prix weekend. The FIA subsequently barred drivers from wearing unofficial attire, but Hamilton expressed no regrets.

July 2021: Founding of Mission 44 and Launch of Ignite

In July 2021, Lewis Hamilton founded Mission 44, a charity to help young people from under-represented backgrounds, pledging £20 million. He also launched Ignite, a joint foundation with Mercedes, to increase diversity in motorsport.

2021: Criticism of Anti-LGBT Laws

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

2021: World Tour via PORTL Hologram

Throughout 2021, Lewis Hamilton toured the world via PORTL hologram, starting in Europe and then making its U.S. debut in Los Angeles in September.

August 2022: Joins Denver Broncos Ownership

In August 2022, Lewis Hamilton joined the newly established ownership group of the National Football League's Denver Broncos.

October 2022: Founding of Dawn Apollo Films

In October 2022, Lewis Hamilton founded the production company, Dawn Apollo Films, which is producing a film titled F1 starring Brad Pitt and directed by Joseph Kosinski, and an untitled documentary film about Hamilton, both to be released on Apple TV+.

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 was forced to decline due to his Formula One commitments.

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