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 competing for Ferrari. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest F1 drivers of all time, having secured a joint-record seven World Drivers' Championship titles, sharing the honor with Michael Schumacher. Beyond his championship wins, Hamilton holds numerous records, including the most wins (105), pole positions (104), and podium finishes (203), solidifying his place as a dominant force in the sport.
1982: Keke Rosberg's World Championship
In 1982, Nico Rosberg's father, Keke Rosberg, was the World Drivers' Champion.
January 1985: Lewis Hamilton's Birth
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: Hamilton's Formula One Debut
In 2007, Lewis Hamilton debuted at the Australian Grand Prix, becoming the first black driver to compete in Formula One.
2007: Hamilton moved to Switzerland
In 2007, Lewis Hamilton moved to Luins, Vaud, Switzerland, citing privacy as the main reason for leaving the UK. He later stated that taxation was also a factor.
June 2008: Registration of Lewis Hamilton Foundation
In June 2008, the Lewis Hamilton Foundation was registered, providing grants and donations to charitable causes.
2010: Hamilton moved to Monaco
In 2010, Lewis Hamilton moved to Monaco, purchasing a house worth a reported £10 million, following a trend among other Formula One drivers.
2010: Father Ceases Being Manager
In early 2010, Anthony Hamilton ceased being Lewis Hamilton's manager, after having supported his racing career since childhood.
2011: Cars 2 voice appearance
In 2011, Hamilton voiced an anthropomorphic version of himself in the movie Cars 2.
2011: Ali G comment
In 2011, after multiple summons to the stewards, 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, Hamilton traveled to the Philippines and made a short film about Manila's street children for UNICEF, which helped raise over £4.9 million.
October 2012: Visit to UNICEF-funded care unit in India
In October 2012, while in India for the Grand Prix, Hamilton visited a UNICEF-funded newborn care unit and nutrition centre.
2013: Global Education Ambassador for Save the Children
In 2013, Hamilton became the Global Education Ambassador for Save the Children, supporting and promoting its education campaigns.
2013: Hamilton Adopted Roscoe
In 2013, Lewis Hamilton adopted his dog Roscoe.
2014: Hamilton's tax statement
In 2014, Hamilton told The Sunday Times that he pays tax in the UK but earns money in various countries due to racing in 19 different locations.
2014: UNICEF film in Haiti
In 2014, Hamilton traveled to Haiti and made a short film about child malnutrition, which was shown on ITV1 during Soccer Aid and helped raise over £6 million for UNICEF.
2014: Helmet design switch
In 2014, Lewis Hamilton decided to switch his helmet design from predominantly yellow to a white design with three red ribbons on the side.
2015: Exhibition for UNICEF's work
In 2015, Hamilton took part in an exhibition to highlight UNICEF's work and its twenty-year partnership with Starwood Hotels.
2016: Addition of stars to helmet
In 2016, Lewis Hamilton added three stars beneath the ribbons on his helmet, representing each of his World Drivers' Championships.
June 2017: Joining the Super Dads initiative
In June 2017, Hamilton joined the Super Dads initiative, a UNICEF campaign highlighting the role of fathers in childhood development.
August 2017: UNICEF visit to Havana
In August 2017, Hamilton visited Havana with UNICEF to learn about its development programs in Cuba.
2017: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix gold helmet
After winning his fourth title in 2017, Lewis Hamilton entered the 2017 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in a gold helmet with four stars adorning the top of the helmet with the words "World Champion".
2017: Cars 3 voice command assistant
In 2017, Hamilton voiced a voice command assistant in the movie Cars 3.
2017: Fan-selected helmet design
In 2017, Lewis Hamilton selected his helmet design from fan submissions; the winning design used a white and yellow base colour with red and orange details.
2017: Hamilton became vegan
In 2017, Lewis Hamilton told the BBC that he had become vegan citing concerns about the impact of the dairy industry on the environment and animal welfare, as well as his desire to live a healthier life.
2017: Maestro of the Gran Turismo series
Since 2017, Hamilton served as the "maestro" of the Gran Turismo series starting with Gran Turismo Sport.
2018: Appearance on Christina Aguilera's album
In 2018, Hamilton appeared on Christina Aguilera's album Liberation, featuring on the song "Pipe" under the pseudonym XNDA.
2018: Criticism of Lack of Diversity in Formula One
In 2018, Hamilton criticized the lack of diversity in Formula One, noting that "nothing's changed" since his debut 11 years prior.
2018: Executive Producer for The Game Changers
In 2018, Hamilton is credited as an executive producer for the documentary film The Game Changers.
2018: Launch of TommyXLewis clothing line
In 2018, Hamilton launched the clothing line TommyXLewis with Tommy Hilfiger during New York Fashion Week.
2018: Fundraising for Small Steps Project
In 2018, Hamilton raised £6,411 for the Small Steps Project through charity auctions.
2018: Switch back to white-and-red design
In 2018, Lewis Hamilton switched back to a 2014-inspired white-and-red helmet design.
2018: Gold helmet with five stars
In 2018, Lewis Hamilton used a gold helmet design with five stars.
2018: PETA Person of the Year
In 2018, Lewis Hamilton was named PETA's Person of the Year for his vegan activism. In the same year, Hamilton also mentioned in an interview that he had given up drinking alcohol 'a while ago'.
2018: Designer Clothing Line Release
In 2018, after winning the Italian Grand Prix, Hamilton traveled to Shanghai and New York to release his designer clothing line with Tommy Hilfiger before winning the next race in Singapore.
September 2019: Co-founding of Neat Burger
In September 2019, Hamilton co-founded Neat Burger, a vegan restaurant chain.
September 2019: Sale of Private Jet
In September 2019, Hamilton sold his private jet, which had been a subject of controversy due to VAT avoidance.
November 2019: Gran Turismo Sport Time Trial Challenge DLC pack release
On November 28, 2019, Hamilton's Time Trial Challenge DLC pack was released for the game Gran Turismo Sport.
2019: Fundraising for Small Steps Project
In 2019, Hamilton raised £6,000 for the Small Steps Project.
2019: Gold helmet with six stars
In 2019, Lewis Hamilton used a gold helmet design with six stars.
2019: Niki Lauda tribute helmet
Prior to the 2019 Monaco Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton wore a special helmet design featuring Niki Lauda's classic red-and-white palette with his name printed on the back, honoring the influence Lauda had on his career.
January 2020: Donation to Australian Bushfire Relief
In January 2020, Hamilton donated US$500,000 to causes related to bushfires in Australia.
May 2020: Criticism of Formula One's silence on George Floyd murder
In May 2020, following the murder of George Floyd, Hamilton criticized prominent figures in Formula One for their silence on the issue via a post on Instagram.
June 2020: Establishment of The Hamilton Commission
In June 2020, Hamilton established The Hamilton Commission with the Royal Academy of Engineering to increase black engagement in STEM and motorsport.
July 2020: Confirmation of musical involvement
In July 2020, Hamilton confirmed his involvement in Christina Aguilera's 2018 album Liberation as XNDA, revealing he had been writing and recording music for ten years.
August 2020: Investment in fashion magazine W
In August 2020, Hamilton was listed as one of the high-profile investors who purchased fashion magazine W.
September 2020: Launch of Team X44
In September 2020, Hamilton launched Team X44 to compete in the all-electric SUV off-road racing series Extreme E from the 2021 season on.
December 2020: Human Rights Advocacy in Bahrain
In December 2020, Hamilton addressed human rights in Bahrain, speaking out against sportswashing and intervening in the case of a boy facing the death penalty, discussing it with human rights organizations and Bahraini officials.
2020: Partnership with #TOGETHERBAND
In 2020, Hamilton partnered with the #TOGETHERBAND charity campaign to promote the United Nations' 17 Global Goals, including visiting Alperton Community School to discuss the importance of education.
2020: Continued Support for Small Steps Project
In 2020, Hamilton raised £4,000 for the Small Steps Project, with a donated race suit reportedly raising €20,000 for vulnerable children.
2020: Matte black helmet with purple details
In 2020, Lewis Hamilton opted for a different helmet color palette, which used matte black as base color with purple details; he later added a Black Lives Matter emblem to the lid, in support of the movement.
2020: Base helmet with gold outlines and accents
In 2020, Lewis Hamilton wore his base helmet with gold outlines and accents, instead of a full gold design.
2020: Hamilton's dog, Coco, died
In 2020, Lewis Hamilton's second bulldog, Coco, died at the age of six.
2020: Response to Hamilton's activism and FIA's attire ban
In 2020, following Hamilton's activism, Formula One expressed support, but the FIA later banned unofficial attire on the podium and in media interviews. Hamilton acknowledged the FIA's limits but didn't regret his actions.
July 2021: Founding of Mission 44 and Ignite
In July 2021, Hamilton founded Mission 44, a charity for underprivileged youth, pledging £20 million. Mission 44 collaborates with Ignite, a joint foundation with Mercedes, focusing on diversity in motorsport.
2021: Support for LGBT rights
In 2021, Hamilton criticized the Hungarian government's anti-LGBT law before the Hungarian Grand Prix and called out LGBT rights in Saudi Arabia before the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
2021: Team X44 finishes 2nd in Extreme E championship
In the 2021 season, Team X44 finished 2nd in the inaugural Extreme E championship, behind Nico Rosberg's RXR team.
2021: PORTL hologram tour
Throughout 2021, Hamilton toured the world via PORTL hologram, debuting in Los Angeles in September.
January 2022: X44 wins Extreme E Sustainability Award
In January 2022, X44 were crowned inaugural winners of the Extreme E Sustainability Award.
March 2022: Hamilton to Add Mother's Name
In March 2022, Lewis Hamilton revealed he was in the process of legally changing his name to include his mother's maiden name, Larbalestier, as a middle name.
August 2022: Joining Denver Broncos Ownership Group
In August 2022, Hamilton joined the ownership group of the National Football League's Denver Broncos.
October 2022: Founding of Dawn Apollo Films
In October 2022, Hamilton founded the production company Dawn Apollo Films.
2022: Declined Role in Top Gun: Maverick
In 2022, Hamilton was offered a role in Top Gun: Maverick by Tom Cruise but declined due to Formula One commitments.
2022: Fluorescent yellow helmet design
In 2022, Lewis Hamilton moved to a fluorescent yellow helmet design, retaining the purple details and championship stars.
2022: Takashi Murakami helmet design
Lewis Hamilton used a unique helmet design for the Japanese Grand Prix in 2022, designed by Japanese artist Takashi Murakami.
November 2023: Cosmetic Hamilton player skin added to Fortnite
In November 2023, Epic Games added a cosmetic Hamilton player skin to Fortnite. A likeness of Hamilton's dog, Roscoe, was also added to the game.
2023: Co-founding of Almave
In 2023, Hamilton co-founded Almave, a non-alcoholic blue agave spirit brand.
2023: Hajime Sorayama helmet design
Lewis Hamilton used a unique helmet design for the Japanese Grand Prix in 2023, designed by Japanese artist Hajime Sorayama.
September 2024: Hamilton Discusses Battling Depression
In an interview in September 2024, Lewis Hamilton stated that he has been battling depression from the age of 13, linking the symptoms to the pressure of racing, difficulties at school, and being bullied. He also described having "some difficult phases" in his twenties.
2024: Executive Producer on Motorcycle Mary
In 2024, 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 Hamilton as one of its brand ambassadors, including collaboration with their research and design teams as well as advocacy initiatives.
September 2025: Hamilton's Dog Roscoe Died
On September 29, 2025, Lewis Hamilton revealed that his dog, Roscoe, had died the previous day, following complications from pneumonia. He adopted Roscoe in 2013.
2025: Co-production of F1 film on Apple TV+
In 2025, Dawn Apollo Films is scheduled to co-produce the F1 film, starring Brad Pitt and directed by Joseph Kosinski, to be released on Apple TV+.
2025: Neat Burger's closure
In 2025, Neat Burger shut down after recording over US$24 million in net losses.
2025: Ferrari helmet design
Upon signing with Ferrari in 2025, Lewis Hamilton reverted to a design reminiscent of the early stages of his Formula One career, featuring yellow as the base color along with red accents and championship stars, complemented by the Ferrari emblem replacing the Mercedes logo.
2026: Only black driver in Formula One
As of 2026, Lewis Hamilton remains the only black driver to race in Formula One.
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