Full History Of Lewis Hamilton In Timeline From 1982

17 hours ago : Hamilton Highlights Ferrari's Engine struggles and Expresses Satisfaction with Sprint Qualifying Performance.

Lewis Hamilton pointed out Ferrari's engine performance gap versus Mercedes. Expressed satisfaction with P4 finish in Sprint Qualifying and urged Ferrari to improve their racing performance.

1982: Keke Rosberg's World Championship

In 2013, when Hamilton joined Mercedes, a contrast was made to Nico Rosberg's upbringing, highlighting that Rosberg was the son of 1982 World Drivers' Champion Keke Rosberg.

January 1985: Born in Stevenage, Hertfordshire

In January 1985, Lewis Carl Davidson Hamilton was born in Stevenage, Hertfordshire to Anthony Hamilton and Carmen Larbalestier.

January 1985: Lewis Hamilton Born

In January 1985, Lewis Carl Davidson Hamilton was born. He is a British racing driver, currently driving in Formula One for Ferrari. He is known for holding a joint-record of seven Formula One World Drivers' Championship titles.

1993: Started Karting

In 1993, Hamilton began karting and quickly started winning races and cadet class championships.

1995: Largest victory margin since 1995

In the 2008 British Grand Prix, Hamilton bested second-place Nick Heidfeld by over a minute, the largest margin of victory recorded since the 1995 Australian Grand Prix.

1996: First British driver to win the World Drivers' Championship since Damon Hill

In 2008, Hamilton became the first British driver to win the World Drivers' Championship since Damon Hill in 1996.

1998: Signed to McLaren-Mercedes Young Driver Programme

In 1998, Ron Dennis signed Lewis Hamilton to the McLaren-Mercedes Young Driver Programme after Hamilton's success in karting, marking a significant step in his early career.

1998: McLaren-Mercedes Young Driver Programme Offer

In 1998, after his Super One series and British championship wins, Ron Dennis offered Lewis Hamilton a role in the McLaren-Mercedes Young Driver Programme, including an option for a future Formula One seat.

1999: Progress in Intercontinental A Ranks

In 1999, Lewis Hamilton continued his progress in the Intercontinental A karting ranks.

2000: European Champion

In 2000, Lewis Hamilton became European Champion with maximum points, racing for TeamMBM.com alongside Nico Rosberg.

2000: Karting World Cup and European Championship Wins

In 2000, Lewis Hamilton won the Karting World Cup and European Championship, showcasing his talent in karting.

2000: Teammates in Karting

Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg were first teammates in 2000 in karting, racing for Mercedes Benz McLaren in Formula A, where Hamilton became European champion.

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.

2001: British Formula Renault Winter Series Debut

In 2001, Hamilton began his car racing career in the British Formula Renault Winter Series, finishing fifth in the standings.

2001: Competed Against Michael Schumacher

In 2001, Michael Schumacher made a return to karts and competed against Hamilton, Nico Rosberg, and Vitantonio Liuzzi, with Schumacher praising Hamilton.

2002: Formula Renault UK Campaign

In 2002, Hamilton participated in the Formula Renault UK campaign with Manor Motorsport, finishing third overall.

2002: Stated Goal for Formula One Career

In 2002, Hamilton stated that his goal was to be experienced before entering Formula One, rather than being the youngest driver.

2004: Formula 3 Euro Series Debut

In 2004, Lewis Hamilton made his debut with Manor in the Formula 3 Euro Series, finishing fifth in the championship.

2004: First Formula One Test with McLaren

In late 2004, Lewis Hamilton had his first Formula One test with McLaren at Silverstone.

2005: Dominated Formula 3 Championship

In 2005, Lewis Hamilton dominated the Formula 3 Euro Series championship with ASM, winning 15 of 20 rounds.

2005: Resigned with McLaren

In 2005, after a disagreement about his career path, Hamilton re-signed with McLaren following a phone call to Martin Whitmarsh.

2006: GP2 Championship Win

In 2006, Lewis Hamilton won the GP2 championship at his first attempt with ART Grand Prix, beating Nelson Piquet Jr.

2007: Qualifying Incident at the Hungarian Grand Prix

At the 2007 Hungarian Grand Prix, tensions resurfaced when Lewis Hamilton ignored team requests to let Fernando Alonso pass during qualifying, resulting in Alonso being penalized and McLaren losing Constructors' Championship points. Hamilton's reaction led to further strain within the team.

2007: Debut in 2007

Hamilton's first race absence since his debut in 2007 occurred when he missed the Sakhir Grand Prix after contracting COVID-19 in 2020.

2007: Formula One Debut at Australian Grand Prix

In 2007, Lewis Hamilton made his Formula One debut at the Australian Grand Prix with McLaren, becoming the first black driver to compete in Formula One.

2007: Racist Abuse at the Chinese Grand Prix

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

2007: Tensions with Alonso at Monaco

In 2007, during Lewis Hamilton's debut season, tensions arose between him and teammate Fernando Alonso after Hamilton's post-race comments at Monaco suggested he was forced into a supporting role. The FIA investigated McLaren for potential team order violations but ultimately vindicated the team.

2007: Collapse of Relationship with Alonso

In 2007, the relationship between Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso reportedly collapsed due to season-long incidents, leading to speculation about Hamilton moving to Ferrari for 2008.

June 2008: Registration of Lewis Hamilton Foundation

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

2008: Maiden Title Win

In 2008, Hamilton won his first World Drivers' Championship, securing it with a last-lap overtake, becoming the youngest World Drivers' Champion at the time.

2008: Victory at the British Grand Prix

In 2008, Hamilton won the British Grand Prix, surpassing second-place Nick Heidfeld by over a minute.

2008: Five race victories and 10 podium finishes

In 2008, Hamilton, partnering with Heikki Kovalainen, continued his winning form, achieving five race victories and 10 podium finishes. He faced close competition from Ferrari drivers and BMW's Robert Kubica. At the British Grand Prix, he secured a dominant win in wet conditions. The championship battle narrowed to Hamilton and Ferrari's Felipe Massa, with Hamilton ultimately winning his maiden title at the Brazilian Grand Prix.

2008: Criticism for Tax Arrangements

In 2008, Lewis Hamilton faced criticism after a report by Christian Aid highlighted his tax arrangements and he was criticised by members of parliament for avoiding UK taxes.

2008: Racist Abuse During Pre-Season Testing in Spain

In 2008, Lewis Hamilton was heckled and abused by Spanish spectators during pre-season testing at the Circuit de Catalunya, with some wearing black face paint and offensive shirts. The FIA launched a "Race Against Racism" campaign in response.

2008: Alonso Leaves McLaren

In November 2008, Fernando Alonso and McLaren terminated their contract by mutual consent, ending his and Lewis Hamilton's time as teammates after a season of high tension and rivalry.

2009: Drivers' Championship ranking

From 2009, Hamilton did not finish higher than fourth in the Drivers' Championship from 2009 to 2013, leading some to question his status as the best driver in the sport.

2009: Winning with a bad car

In 2009, Hamilton was able to win with a bad car.

2009: Challenging start to the season

In 2009, major technical regulation changes led to a challenging start for McLaren. Hamilton struggled to defend his title initially, but major upgrades at the German Grand Prix improved performance, leading to two race victories and three additional podium finishes.

2009: Mention of winning with a bad car in 2009

In 2017, Fernando Alonso praised Lewis Hamilton, acknowledging his ability to win with various levels of car performance, including a bad car in 2009.

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 the BBC motoring show Top Gear, also naming Senna as the number one driver ever.

Loading Video...

2010: Winning with a good car

In 2010, Hamilton was able to win with a good car.

2010: Disqualification at the European Grand Prix

In 2010, Hamilton was disqualified at the European Grand Prix in Valencia for overtaking the safety car, a mistake he had previously made in the GP2 Series.

2010: Four-Way Title Battle

In 2010, Hamilton was involved in a four-way title battle, marking a competitive season in his career with McLaren.

2010: Four-way title battle and misfortunes

In 2010, Hamilton, partnered with Jenson Button, engaged in a four-way title battle with Alonso, Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber. He secured McLaren's only pole position at the Canadian Grand Prix and led the championship after winning the race. However, misfortunes in the latter half of the season led to him finishing fourth in the standings.

2010: Mention of winning with a good car in 2010

In 2017, Fernando Alonso praised Lewis Hamilton, acknowledging his ability to win with various levels of car performance, including a good car in 2010.

2010: Father Ceases Being Manager

In early 2010, Anthony Hamilton stopped being Lewis Hamilton's manager.

2011: Challenging year with setbacks

2011 was a challenging year for Hamilton, and marked the first season he had been out-scored by a teammate, as Button finished runner-up to Vettel. Setbacks in his private life, as well as on-track collisions culminating in multiple run-ins with the stewards, contributed to his inconsistent performances throughout the season. Hamilton finished fifth in the standings with three race wins.

2011: Winning with a bad car

In 2011, Hamilton was able to win with a bad car.

2011: Voice Acting in Cars 2

In 2011, Lewis Hamilton made a guest appearance in Cars 2 in which he voices an anthropomorphic version of himself.

Loading Video...

2011: Racial Comment

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

2011: Mention of winning with a bad car in 2011

In 2017, Fernando Alonso praised Lewis Hamilton, acknowledging his ability to win with various levels of car performance, including a bad car in 2011.

March 2012: Visit to the Philippines with UNICEF

In March 2012, Lewis Hamilton traveled to the Philippines with UNICEF to make a film about Manila's street children, which was shown during Soccer Aid and helped raise 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 centre.

2012: Title contention and mechanical failures

In 2012, Hamilton remained in title contention during the first half of the season. However, a challenging latter half with mechanical failures led to him finishing fourth in the standings, achieving four race wins and a season-highest seven pole positions. He lost an estimated 110 points due to retirements and misfortunes.

2012: Winning with a good car

In 2012, Hamilton was able to win with a good car.

2012: Mention of winning with a good car in 2012

In 2017, Fernando Alonso praised Lewis Hamilton, acknowledging his ability to win with various levels of car performance, including a good car in 2012.

2012: Contract Extension with McLaren

Lewis Hamilton signed a £50 million contract to stay with McLaren until the end of 2012.

2013: Drivers' Championship ranking

From 2009 to 2013, Hamilton did not finish higher than fourth in the Drivers' Championship from 2009 to 2013, leading some to question his status as the best driver in the sport.

2013: Mercedes Collaboration with Nico Rosberg

From 2013, Lewis Hamilton teamed up with Nico Rosberg for Mercedes, after having previously been karting teammates.

2013: Mentioned Hamilton's Move from Mclaren to Mercedes

His move from McLaren to Mercedes in 2013 was noted as one of the most unexpected driver transfers in Formula One history.

2013: Joining Mercedes for the 2013 season

In 2012, prior to the end of the year, Hamilton announced that he would be joining Mercedes for the 2013 season.

2013: First season with Mercedes

In 2013, Hamilton joined Mercedes, reuniting with Nico Rosberg. He finished fourth in the standings, securing five podium finishes and pole positions, with one race victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix. A difficult latter half of the season followed.

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.

2013: Joining Mercedes with Nico Rosberg

In 2013, Lewis Hamilton joined Mercedes and was paired with his old karting teammate and friend, Nico Rosberg. Their relationship became strained over their four seasons as teammates during a period of Mercedes dominance in Formula One.

2014: Mercedes' Dominance Begins

From 2014, Mercedes began a period of dominance that lasted until 2016.

2014: Unbeaten in wet weather races

From the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix, Hamilton remained unbeaten in wet weather races up to the 2019 German Grand Prix.

2014: Second World Championship

In 2014, Hamilton clinched his second World Championship title with Mercedes.

2014: World Title Win Amidst Fierce Rivalry

In 2014, Hamilton won the World Drivers' Championship amidst a fierce rivalry with teammate Nico Rosberg.

2014: Double-Standards in Media Treatment

In 2014, Joseph Harker from The Guardian highlighted double standards in the treatment of Lewis Hamilton by British newspapers compared to other British drivers, suggesting his skin color played a role.

2014: Response to Tax Concerns

In 2014, Lewis Hamilton addressed concerns about his tax contributions, explaining to The Sunday Times that he pays taxes in multiple countries, including the UK, where he contributes significantly despite earning his income globally.

2014: Helmet design switch

In 2014, Lewis Hamilton decided to switch his helmet design to a white design with three red ribbons on the side, departing from his predominantly yellow helmet during his karting and early Formula One career.

2014: Haiti film with UNICEF

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: Third World Championship

In 2015, Hamilton clinched his third World Championship title with Mercedes.

2015: Second Consecutive World Title

In 2015, Hamilton secured his second consecutive World Drivers' Championship title, continuing his success with Mercedes.

2015: Exhibition for UNICEF

In 2015, Lewis Hamilton took part in an exhibition to highlight UNICEF's work and to celebrate its twenty-year partnership with Starwood Hotels.

2016: Mercedes' Dominance Continues

From 2014, Mercedes began a period of dominance that lasted until 2016.

2016: Finished behind teammate in the standings

In 2016, Hamilton finished behind his teammate in the standings.

2016: Runner-up in the championship

In 2016, Hamilton finished runner-up to Rosberg in the championship. He experienced a challenging start with poor race-starts and mechanical failures. Mid-season, he won six of seven races, but an engine blowout in Malaysia hindered his progress. He finished the season with 10 race victories but ultimately lost the title.

2016: Addition of Championship Stars to Helmet

In 2016, Lewis Hamilton added three stars beneath the ribbons on his helmet, each representing one of his World Drivers' Championships.

2016: Continued Collaboration with Nico Rosberg

In 2016, Lewis Hamilton continued to team up with Nico Rosberg for Mercedes, after having previously been karting teammates.

2016: Top 10 Ranking in the Powerlist

In 2016, Lewis Hamilton ranked in the top 10 in the Powerlist, an annual list of the most influential Black Britons.

June 2017: Participation in UNICEF's 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 programmes in Cuba.

November 2017: Paradise Papers leak reveals tax avoidance

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

2017: Gold Helmet with Four Stars

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 and the words "World Champion".

2017: Point scoring positions

From 2017, Hamilton finished 33 consecutive races in point-scoring positions.

2017: Alonso's Praise for Hamilton

In 2017, Fernando Alonso praised Lewis Hamilton, acknowledging his ability to win with various levels of car performance. Alonso said "[Hamilton] was able to win with a dominant car, with a good car like 2010 or 2012, or with bad cars like 2009 and 2011. Not all the champions can say that."

2017: Rivalry with Vettel

In 2017, Ferrari, driven by Sebastian Vettel, produced a car capable of challenging Mercedes, leading to a hard-fought championship battle. At the 2017 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Vettel and Hamilton had an on-track incident, resulting in a penalty for Vettel.

2017: Overcame Deficit to Win Title

In 2017, Hamilton overcame a mid-season points deficit to Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari to claim his fourth World Championship title.

2017: Fourth World Drivers' title

In 2017, Hamilton, partnered by Valtteri Bottas, won his fourth World Drivers' title. He dominated the races following the summer break, winning five in six. He broke the record for all-time most pole positions and overtook Vettel for the championship lead, and won his fourth World Drivers' title at the Mexican Grand Prix with two races to spare.

2017: Top 10 Ranking in the Powerlist

In 2017, Lewis Hamilton ranked in the top 10 in the Powerlist, an annual list of the most influential Black Britons.

2017: Fan-Selected Helmet Design

In 2017, Lewis Hamilton selected his helmet design from fan submissions, resulting in a white and yellow base color with red and orange details.

2017: Maestro of Gran Turismo

In 2017, Lewis Hamilton served as the "maestro" of the Gran Turismo series since Gran Turismo Sport.

2017: Voice Command Assistant in Cars 3

In 2017, Lewis Hamilton voiced a voice command assistant in Cars 3.

Loading Video...

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, "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 apologized for his choice of words.

2018: Point scoring positions

From 2017 to 2018, Hamilton finished 33 consecutive races in point-scoring positions, a run brought to an end as a result of mechanical issues.

2018: Fifth World Drivers' Championship

In 2018, Hamilton and Vettel engaged in a close battle for their fifth title. After the German Grand Prix, Vettel's season unraveled, while Hamilton clinched his fifth title at the Mexican Grand Prix for a second year running. He set a new record for most points scored in a season (408).

2018: Fifth World Title

In 2018, Hamilton secured his fifth World Drivers' Championship after overturning another mid-season points deficit to Sebastian Vettel.

2018: Release of designer clothing line

In 2018, Hamilton traveled to Shanghai and New York to release his designer clothing line with Tommy Hilfiger, between race weekends.

2018: Appearance on Christina Aguilera's Album

In 2018, Lewis Hamilton appeared on Christina Aguilera's album Liberation, featuring on the song "Pipe" under the pseudonym XNDA.

Loading Video...

2018: Criticism of Lack of Diversity in Formula One

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

2018: Executive Producer for The Game Changers

In 2018, Lewis Hamilton is credited as an executive producer for the documentary film The Game Changers.

Loading Video...

2018: Launch of TommyXLewis Clothing Line

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

2018: Fundraising for Small Steps Project

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

2018: Return to White and Red Helmet Design

In 2018, Lewis Hamilton switched back to a white-and-red helmet design, inspired by his 2014 design.

2018: Gold Helmet with Five Stars

In 2018, Lewis Hamilton used a similar gold helmet design to the previous year, but this time with five stars representing his championships.

2018: Tribute to Alonso

In 2018, on Alonso's final race before his two-year hiatus, Lewis Hamilton joined Sebastian Vettel in paying tribute to Alonso by driving in formation to the start-finish straight where all three executed donuts.

2018: Championship Battle with Vettel Continues

In 2018, the championship battle between Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel continued, with Mercedes and Hamilton ultimately winning the title after a season with some on-track flash points, the pair developed a strong mutual respect.

September 2019: Co-founding of Neat Burger

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 his private jet.

November 2019: Time Trial Challenge DLC Pack for Gran Turismo Sport

On 28 November 2019, Lewis Hamilton's Time Trial Challenge DLC pack was released for the game Gran Turismo Sport.

2019: Sixth World Drivers' Championship

In 2019, Hamilton clinched his sixth World Drivers' Championship title.

2019: Gold Helmet with Six Stars

In 2019, Lewis Hamilton continued the tradition of using a gold helmet design, now featuring six stars to represent his championship wins.

2019: Fundraising for Small Steps Project

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

2019: Sixth World Title

In 2019, Lewis Hamilton won his sixth World Drivers' Championship, further solidifying his legacy in Formula One.

2019: Praised as a representative of the sport

In 2019, Luke Slater of The Telegraph argued that Hamilton has been one of the best representatives of the sport, both on and off the track.

2019: Media Scrutiny with Racist Undertones

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

2019: Streak broken at the German Grand Prix

In the 2019 German Grand Prix, Max Verstappen broke Hamilton's almost five-year streak of being unbeaten in wet weather races.

2019: Tribute to Niki Lauda with Special Helmet

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 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 and announced his aim of being carbon neutral by the end of the year, including selling his private jet.

May 2020: Criticism of Formula One's Silence on Racial Issues

In May 2020, following the murder of George Floyd, Lewis Hamilton criticised prominent figures in Formula One for their silence on the issue of racial injustice, 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, to find ways to engage more black people with STEM subjects and increase employment in motorsport or other engineering sectors.

July 2020: Confirmation of XNDA Identity

In July 2020, Lewis Hamilton confirmed that he was the artist XNDA, who was featured on Christina Aguilera's 2018 album Liberation. He also revealed that he had been writing and recording music for ten years.

August 2020: Investment in W Magazine

In August 2020, Lewis Hamilton was listed as one of the 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 on.

December 2020: Concerns over Human Rights in Bahrain

In December 2020, Lewis Hamilton confronted human rights issues in Bahrain, addressing allegations of sportswashing. He spoke out after an 11-year-old boy asked him to save his father from the death penalty. Hamilton discussed the case with human rights organisations, legal experts, and Bahraini officials.

2020: Seventh World Title

After Hamilton won his seventh title in 2020, John Watson stated that Hamilton "is, by a million miles, the greatest driver of his generation and you can argue he will go on to be the greatest Formula One driver of all time".

2020: Wearing "Arrest the cops who killed Breonna Taylor" T-shirt

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

2020: Knighthood and recognition as a 'true giant'

Following Hamilton's knighthood in 2020, Formula One CEO Stefano Domenicali recognized him as "a true giant of our sport", highlighting his significant influence both in and out of the car.

2020: Record-Equaling Seventh Title

In 2020, Hamilton claimed his record-equaling seventh World Drivers' Championship, surpassing records including all-time wins at the Portuguese Grand Prix.

2020: Seventh Drivers' Title and COVID-19

In 2020, Hamilton dominated the season to win his seventh Drivers' title, equalling Schumacher's record. He secured ten pole positions and eleven race victories. Hamilton missed the Sakhir Grand Prix after contracting COVID-19.

2020: Victory at the Turkish Grand Prix

In 2020, Hamilton won the Turkish Grand Prix, clinching his seventh world title. His performance, marked by a one-stop strategy in mixed conditions, was widely acclaimed.

2020: Matte Black and Purple Helmet with BLM Emblem

In 2020, Lewis Hamilton opted for a different color palette, using matte black as the base color with purple details for his helmet. He later added a Black Lives Matter emblem to the lid in support of the movement.

2020: Partnership with #TOGETHERBAND

In 2020, Lewis Hamilton partnered with the charity campaign #TOGETHERBAND to promote the United Nations' 17 Global Goals. Hamilton also visited Alperton Community School to speak about the importance of education and is a GOAL 4 Ambassador.

2020: Fundraising for Small Steps Project and Vulnerable Children

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

2020: Named one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people

In 2020, Lewis Hamilton was listed as one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people globally.

2020: Listed as one of Time's 100 Most Influential People

In 2020, Lewis Hamilton was listed in Time as one of the 100 most influential people globally, recognizing his broader impact beyond Formula One.

2020: Helmet with Gold Outlines and Accents

In 2020, Lewis Hamilton wore his base helmet design with gold outlines and accents, departing from the full gold designs of previous years.

May 2021: Laureus Athlete Advocate of the Year Award

In May 2021, Lewis Hamilton became the inaugural recipient of the Laureus Athlete Advocate of the Year Award.

July 2021: Founding of Mission 44

In July 2021, Lewis Hamilton founded Mission 44, a charity to help young people from under-represented backgrounds. He pledged £20 million to support the charity's work. Mission 44 collaborates with Ignite, a joint foundation between Hamilton and Mercedes.

2021: Martin Brundle's Commentary on Hamilton

Ahead of the 2021 season, Martin Brundle commentated on Hamilton's exceptional consistency, highlighting his minimal mistakes and well-rounded skill set.

2021: Rainbow Helmet Designs in Support of LGBTQ Rights

During the Qatar, Saudi Arabian and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix of 2021, Lewis Hamilton used rainbow helmet designs in support of LGBTQ rights in the Middle East.

2021: First pole since 2021

Hamilton took his record ninth pole at the Hungarian Grand Prix—his first since 2021—surpassing Senna's and Schumacher's records for the most pole positions at the same Grand Prix.

2021: Intense title battle with Verstappen

In 2021, Hamilton and Verstappen engaged in an intense title battle, with collisions in Britain, Italy, and Saudi Arabia. Hamilton achieved his 100th pole position and race win at the Spanish and Russian Grands Prix, respectively. He was denied the championship by a last-lap overtake from Verstappen in Abu Dhabi.

2021: Ended Runner-up to Max Verstappen

In 2021, Lewis Hamilton became the first driver to surpass 100 race wins and pole positions but ended the season as runner-up to Max Verstappen amidst a disputed finish.

2021: Criticism of Anti-LGBT Law

In 2021, Lewis Hamilton criticised 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: Hamilton Reflects on Rivalry with Vettel

In 2021, Lewis Hamilton described his rivalry with Sebastian Vettel as his favourite, believing their battles helped bring them closer together.

2021: Knighthood in the New Year Honours

In 2021, Lewis Hamilton was knighted in the New Year Honours, recognizing his contributions to motorsport and beyond.

2021: Most Influential Black Briton in the Powerlist

In 2021, Lewis Hamilton was named the most influential Black Briton in the 14th Powerlist for his sporting success and advocacy in the Black Lives Matter movement.

2021: Online Racist Abuse Following British Grand Prix Win

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

2021: X44 Finished 2nd in Extreme E championship

In 2021, Lewis Hamilton's X44 team finished 2nd in the inaugural Extreme E championship, behind Nico Rosberg's RXR team.

2021: PORTL hologram tour

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

January 2022: X44 Wins Extreme E Sustainability Award

In January 2022, Lewis Hamilton's X44 team were crowned the inaugural winners of the Extreme E Sustainability Award.

August 2022: Joins Ownership Group of Denver Broncos

In August 2022, Lewis Hamilton joined the 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.

2022: Helmet Design by Takashi Murakami

For the Japanese Grand Prix in 2022, Lewis Hamilton used a unique helmet design created by Japanese artist Takashi Murakami.

2022: Winless Campaign

In 2022, Hamilton experienced a winless campaign, marking a challenging season in his Formula One career.

2022: Challenging season with Mercedes

In 2022, Hamilton experienced his first Formula One season without a race win or pole position. Technical regulation changes and the problematic W13 car led to a challenging season, marked by porpoising and a back injury sustained at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. He finished sixth in the standings, behind his teammate George Russell.

2022: Fluorescent Yellow Helmet Design

In 2022, Lewis Hamilton moved to a fluorescent yellow helmet design, retaining the purple details and championship stars.

2022: Declined Role in Top Gun: Maverick

In 2022, Lewis Hamilton revealed he was offered a role in the film Top Gun: Maverick by Tom Cruise but had to decline due to his Formula One commitments.

Loading Video...

November 2023: Addition 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: Another Winless Campaign with Mercedes

In 2023, Hamilton experienced another winless campaign, finishing third in the standings. He achieved a record ninth pole at the Hungarian Grand Prix and signed a two-year contract extension with Mercedes.

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.

2023: Another Winless Season

In 2023, Lewis Hamilton had another winless season, continuing a period of challenges in his Formula One career.

2023: Helmet Design by Hajime Sorayama

In 2023, Lewis Hamilton used a unique helmet design for the Japanese Grand Prix, created by Japanese artist Hajime Sorayama.

2024: Last Season with Mercedes

In 2024, Hamilton triggered an exit clause in his contract, signaling his departure from Mercedes at the end of the season. Despite a challenging season and difficulties adapting to the W15 car, he secured his ninth British Grand Prix victory and ended his winless drought. He finished the season seventh in the championship.

2024: Record-Breaking Ninth British Grand Prix Victory

In 2024, Lewis Hamilton achieved his record-breaking ninth British Grand Prix victory, marking his twelfth and final season with Mercedes.

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.

Loading Video...

2024: Mentioned Hamilton's difficult 2024 season

Much like in 2024, his "painful" campaign has been marked by fluctuating results.

February 2025: Brand Ambassador for Lululemon

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.

2025: The Only Black Driver to Race in Formula One

As of 2025, Lewis Hamilton is the first and only black driver to race in Formula One.

2025: Joining Ferrari

In 2025, Hamilton joined Ferrari on a multi-year agreement, marking a significant move in his career. His debut season with the team has been marked by fluctuating results and challenges adapting to the car. He ended the season sixth in the championship, without securing a podium finish.

2025: Neat Burger shutdown

In 2025, the vegan restaurant chain Neat Burger, co-founded by Lewis Hamilton, 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 helmet design reminiscent of his early Formula One career, featuring yellow as the base color with red accents and championship stars, complemented by the Ferrari emblem replacing the Mercedes logo.

2026: Contributing to Ferrari's Competitiveness

In 2026, Hamilton is reported to be contributing to the shaping of Ferrari's competitiveness ahead of the regulation changes. He has been involved in meetings focusing on structural changes and car development, presenting detailed suggestions for improvement.