Full History Of Lewis Hamilton In Timeline From 1982

1982: Keke Rosberg became World Drivers' Champion

In 1982, Keke Rosberg, Nico Rosberg's father, became World Drivers' Champion.

January 1985: Lewis Hamilton Born

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

1993: Began karting career

In 1993, Lewis Hamilton began his karting career, rapidly achieving success in races and cadet class championships.

1995: Largest Victory Margin Recorded Since 1995 Australian Grand Prix

The 2008 British Grand Prix victory was the largest margin of victory recorded since the 1995 Australian Grand Prix.

1996: Damon Hill wins World Drivers' Championship

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

1998: Signed to McLaren-Mercedes Young Driver Programme

In 1998, Lewis Hamilton's karting success attracted the attention of Ron Dennis, who signed him to the McLaren-Mercedes Young Driver Programme.

1999: Progressed in karting ranks

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

2000: Racing for Mercedes Benz McLaren in Formula A

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

2000: Became European Champion

In 2000, Lewis Hamilton became the European Champion in karting with maximum points, racing for TeamMBM.com with teammate Nico Rosberg.

2000: Karting World Cup and European Championship

In 2000, Lewis Hamilton won the direct-drive Karting World Cup and European Championship, marking a significant achievement in his early career.

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.

2001: Started car racing career

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

2001: Competed against Michael Schumacher in karts

In 2001, Michael Schumacher made a one-off return to karts and competed against Lewis Hamilton and other future Formula One drivers.

2002: Full Formula Renault UK campaign

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

2002: Goals for Formula One

In 2002, Lewis Hamilton stated that his goal was to be experienced and then show what he could do in Formula One.

2004: Debut in Formula 3 Euro Series

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

2004: First Formula One Test

In late 2004, Lewis Hamilton had his first Formula One test with McLaren at Silverstone, marking a significant step in his career.

2005: Dominated the Formula 3 Euro Series

In 2005, Lewis Hamilton dominated the Formula 3 Euro Series, winning 15 of the 20 rounds and securing 13 pole positions.

2005: Re-signed with McLaren

In 2005, after initial contract disputes, Lewis Hamilton re-signed with McLaren, continuing his development with the team.

2006: Won the GP2 Championship

In 2006, Lewis Hamilton won the GP2 championship at his first attempt with ART Grand Prix, demonstrating his racing prowess.

2006: L. Hamilton Wins

In 2006, Lewis Hamilton won.

November 2007: Relationship with Nicole Scherzinger Begins

In November 2007, Lewis Hamilton began an on-and-off relationship with Nicole Scherzinger, the lead singer of the American girl group Pussycat Dolls.

December 2007: Suspended from driving in France

On 18 December 2007, Lewis Hamilton was suspended from driving in France for a month after being caught speeding at 196 km/h on a French motorway; his Mercedes-Benz CLK was also impounded.

2007: Qualifying incident at Hungarian Grand Prix

At the 2007 Hungarian Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton ignored requests from the team to let Fernando Alonso through during the final qualifying session, leading to Alonso delaying Hamilton in the pits. Alonso was relegated to sixth place, Hamilton started first, and McLaren was docked Constructors' Championship points.

2007: K. Räikkönen Wins

In 2007, Kimi Räikkönen won.

2007: Formula One Debut

In 2007, Lewis Hamilton debuted at the Australian Grand Prix, becoming the first black driver to compete in Formula One.

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.

2007: Racist abuse at Chinese Grand Prix

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

2007: Tensions with Alonso and FIA investigation

In 2007, tensions arose between Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso, his teammate, after Hamilton finished second behind Alonso at Monaco. The FIA investigated whether McLaren had broken rules by enforcing team orders, but McLaren denied favouring Alonso, and the FIA vindicated the team.

2007: Relationship collapse with Alonso

In 2007, the relationship between Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso reportedly collapsed as a result of the season's events, with the pair not on speaking terms for a short period.

2007: Debut Race

In 2020, Hamilton missed the Sakhir Grand Prix after contracting COVID-19, it was his first race absence since his debut in 2007.

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.

2008: Five race victories and maiden title

In 2008, Hamilton partnered with Heikki Kovalainen, achieving five race victories and 10 podium finishes. He won his maiden title at the Brazilian Grand Prix, overtaking Timo Glock for fifth-place on the last lap and becoming the youngest World Drivers' Champion at the time, narrowly defeating Felipe Massa.

2008: Tax Arrangement Criticisms

In 2008, Lewis Hamilton faced criticism from members of parliament for avoiding UK taxes, and his tax arrangements were highlighted in a report by Christian Aid.

2008: Racist abuse during pre-season testing

In 2008, Lewis Hamilton was heckled and abused during pre-season testing at the Circuit de Catalunya by Spanish spectators wearing black face paint and black wigs, prompting a warning from the FIA.

2008: Maiden Title Win

In 2008, Lewis Hamilton won his maiden title, becoming the youngest World Drivers' Champion at the time.

2008: Wins Laureus Breakthrough of the Year Award

In 2008, Lewis Hamilton won the Laureus Breakthrough of the Year Award.

2008: Alonso and McLaren terminated contract

In November 2008, Fernando Alonso and McLaren terminated their contract by mutual consent, ending his and Lewis Hamilton's time as teammates.

2008: Victory at the 2008 British Grand Prix

In the 2008 British Grand Prix, Hamilton won by over a minute, the largest margin of victory since 1995.

2008: Wins World Drivers' Championship

With his victory at the 2008 World Drivers' Championship, Lewis Hamilton became the then-youngest driver to win the title, aged 23 years and 301 days.

2009: Reference to a bad car year

2009 was mentioned by Alonso as a bad year for Lewis Hamilton and the car he was driving.

2009: Not Finishing Higher Than Fourth

From 2009 to 2013, Lewis Hamilton did not finish higher than fourth in the Drivers' Championship.

2009: Winning with a Bad Car

In 2009, Hamilton was able to win with a bad car, a feat not all champions can achieve.

2009: Challenging start and MP4-24 car upgrade

In 2009, McLaren faced a challenging start due to major technical regulation changes. Hamilton struggled initially, but major upgrades at the German Grand Prix dramatically improved the performance of the MP4-24 car. He then advanced from eleventh to fifth in the standings, securing two race victories.

2010: Reference to a good car year

2010 was mentioned by Alonso as a good year for Lewis Hamilton and the car he was driving.

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.

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2010: Four-way title battle and misfortunes

In 2010, Hamilton partnered with Jenson Button and 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 and mechanical failures led to him losing vital points and ultimately finishing fourth in the standings as Vettel won the title.

2010: Winning with a Good Car

In 2010, Hamilton was able to win with a good car, a feat not all champions can achieve.

2010: Moves to Monaco

In 2010, Lewis Hamilton moved to Monaco, purchasing a house worth a reported £10 million.

2010: Involvement in Four-Way Title Battle

In 2010, Lewis Hamilton was involved in a four-way title battle during his time at McLaren, achieving multiple race wins.

2010: Disqualification at the 2010 European Grand Prix

In 2010, during the Formula One European Grand Prix in Valencia, Hamilton repeated his earlier mistake from the GP2 Series and was disqualified for overtaking the safety car.

2010: Split with his father as manager

In early 2010, Anthony Hamilton stopped being Lewis Hamilton's manager, concluding a long-standing professional relationship.

2010: Victoria Police incident

Two days before the 2010 Australian Grand Prix, Victoria Police witnessed Lewis Hamilton "deliberately losing traction" in his silver Mercedes-AMG C63, resulting in the car being impounded for 48 hours and Hamilton being fined A$500.

2011: Reference to a bad car year

2011 was mentioned by Alonso as a bad year for Lewis Hamilton and the car he was driving.

2011: Challenging season and inconsistent performances

In 2011, Hamilton had a challenging year, marked by setbacks in his private life and on-track collisions, leading to inconsistent performances. He finished fifth in the standings with three race wins but secured the only non-Red Bull pole position at the Korean Grand Prix.

2011: Winning with a Bad Car

In 2011, Hamilton was able to win with a bad car, a feat not all champions can achieve.

2011: Guest Appearance in Cars 2

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

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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.

2012: Reference to a good car year

2012 was mentioned by Alonso as a good year for Lewis Hamilton and the car he was driving.

2012: Winning with a Good Car

In 2012, Hamilton was able to win with a good car, a feat not all champions can achieve.

2012: Title contention and mechanical failures

In 2012, McLaren was a title contender, with Hamilton remaining in contention during the first half of the season. However, he endured a challenging latter half with inconsistent results and mechanical failures, leading to five retirements. He finished fourth in the standings with four race wins and seven pole positions. He announced he would be joining Mercedes for the 2013 season.

2012: Contract Expiry with McLaren

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

2013: Highest paid F1 Driver

According to Forbes, from 2013 Lewis Hamilton was the highest-paid Formula One driver.

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: Not Finishing Higher Than Fourth

From 2009 to 2013, Lewis Hamilton did not finish higher than fourth in the Drivers' Championship.

2013: First season with Mercedes

In 2013, Hamilton signed with 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. The latter half of the season was difficult, with only one podium finish.

2013: Move from McLaren to Mercedes

In 2013, Hamilton's move from McLaren to Mercedes was considered one of the most unexpected driver transfers in Formula One history.

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.

2013: Joining Mercedes and pairing with Nico Rosberg

In 2013, Lewis Hamilton joined Mercedes and was paired alongside his old karting teammate and friend Nico Rosberg.

2013: Teamed up with Nico Rosberg for Mercedes

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

2014: Wet Weather Dominance

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

2014: Second World Championship Title

In 2014, Lewis Hamilton clinched his second World Championship title with Mercedes, leading to declarations that he was the best driver of his generation.

2014: Helmet design switch to white with red ribbons

In 2014, Lewis Hamilton decided to switch his helmet design from a predominantly yellow design to a white design with three red ribbons on the side.

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.

2014: Wins BBC Sports Personality of the Year and PAP European Sportsperson of the Year

In 2014, Lewis Hamilton won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award and the PAP European Sportsperson of the Year award.

2014: L. Hamilton Wins

In 2014, Lewis Hamilton won.

2014: Mercedes dominance begins

In 2014, Mercedes began a period of dominance in Formula One.

2014: Double standards in media treatment

In 2014, The Guardian journalist Joseph Harker highlighted double-standards in Lewis Hamilton's treatment by British newspapers compared to other British drivers, suggesting his skin colour played a factor.

2014: Won the Title

In 2014, amidst the fierce rivalry with Nico Rosberg, Lewis Hamilton won the title, driving for Mercedes.

2014: Chooses number 44 for career

In 2014, new Formula One regulations allowed drivers to select a unique car number for their careers, and Lewis Hamilton chose to use his old karting number, 44, which was inspired by his father's Vauxhall Cavalier's number plate "F44".

2014: Wears Warhol's Mercedes-Benz painting

Prior to the 2014 United States Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton wore a gold-framed version of Andy Warhol's "Cars, Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Coupe" painting around his neck as a chain.

2014: Second World Drivers' Championship

The 2014 season saw the start of a successful era for Hamilton with turbo-hybrid engines. He secured a career-best 11 victories and won his second World Drivers' Championship at the final round in Abu Dhabi after a season-long duel with teammate Rosberg.

February 2015: Relationship with Nicole Scherzinger ends

In February 2015, Lewis Hamilton's on-and-off relationship with Nicole Scherzinger, the lead singer of the American girl group Pussycat Dolls, came to an end.

2015: Signs contract with Mercedes

Ahead of the 2015 Monaco Grand Prix weekend, Lewis Hamilton signed a contract to stay with Mercedes until the end of the 2018 season in a deal reportedly worth more than £100 million over the three years.

2015: Continues to race with No. 44

Before the start of the 2015 season, Lewis Hamilton, the reigning World Champion, announced he would not switch his car number to 1, opting to continue racing with his career number 44 instead.

2015: Third World Drivers' Championship

In 2015, Hamilton secured his first back-to-back championships, winning 10 races and leading the championship throughout the season. He clinched the title at the United States Grand Prix and extended his contract with Mercedes for three additional years.

2015: Won the Title Again

In 2015, Lewis Hamilton secured another title with Mercedes amidst his ongoing rivalry with Nico Rosberg.

2015: Third World Championship Title

In 2015, Lewis Hamilton secured his third World Championship title with Mercedes, solidifying his status as the best driver of his generation.

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.

2015: Richest British sportsperson

In 2015, Lewis Hamilton was ranked as the richest British sportsperson, with an estimated personal fortune of £88 million.

2015: L. Hamilton Wins

In 2015, Lewis Hamilton won.

2016: Final year teaming with Nico Rosberg for Mercedes

2016 was the final year that Lewis Hamilton teamed up with Nico Rosberg for Mercedes.

2016: Runner-up in the championship

In 2016, Hamilton finished runner-up in the championship to Rosberg. He secured a season-highest 10 race victories and broke the record for most wins in a season without becoming the champion, along with the record for most career points of all-time. He finished the season 12 points adrift of Rosberg. He defied team orders in Abu Dhabi.

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.

2016: Finished Behind Teammate

In 2016, Lewis Hamilton finished behind his teammate in the standings for the first time in his Formula One career.

2016: Top 10 in the Powerlist

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

2016: Mercedes dominance continues

In 2016, Mercedes continued its period of dominance in Formula One.

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.

November 2017: Paradise Papers Leak

In November 2017, the leak of the Paradise Papers 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 fourth title

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: Alonso praises Hamilton

In 2017, Fernando Alonso praised Lewis Hamilton, highlighting his ability to win with both dominant and less competitive cars.

2017: Ferrari challenges for championship

In 2017, Ferrari produced a car capable of fighting for the championship, leading to on-track flash points, including the Azerbaijan Grand Prix where Vettel drove into Hamilton in retaliation for an alleged brake check.

2017: Fourth World Drivers' title

In 2017, Hamilton was partnered by Valtteri Bottas. With Ferrari emerging as a strong contender, Vettel led the standings in the first half of the season. Benefitting from Vettel's misfortunes and Mercedes's resurgence after the summer break, Hamilton won his fourth World Drivers' title at the Mexican Grand Prix, securing 11 pole positions and nine race victories.

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: Won the Title

In 2017, Lewis Hamilton overturned a mid-season point deficit to Sebastian Vettel and claimed his fourth title.

2017: Top 10 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; the winning design used a white and yellow base colour with red and orange details.

2017: Voice Command Assistant in Cars 3

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

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2017: Wins Best Driver ESPY Award and inducted into the FIA Hall of Fame

In 2017, Lewis Hamilton won the Best Driver ESPY Award and was inducted into the FIA Hall of Fame.

2017: L. Hamilton Wins

In 2017, Lewis Hamilton won.

2017: 44IP opposes trademark registration

In 2017, Lewis Hamilton's rights management company, 44IP, opposed Swatch Group's application to register a trade mark for "HAMILTON INTERNATIONAL" in Europe.

2017: Maestro of Gran Turismo

Since 2017, Lewis Hamilton served as the "maestro" of the Gran Turismo series starting with Gran Turismo Sport.

2017: Consecutive Races in Point-Scoring Positions

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

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 by saying "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 apologised on Instagram.

2018: Fifth World Drivers' title

In 2018, Hamilton and Vettel engaged in a close battle for their fifth title, but Vettel's season unravelled after the German Grand Prix. Hamilton clinched his fifth title at the Mexican Grand Prix, securing 11 pole positions and race victories. He signed a two-year contract extension with Mercedes, becoming the best-paid Formula One driver.

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.

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2018: TommyXLewis Clothing Line Launch

In 2018, Lewis Hamilton launched the clothing line TommyXLewis with Tommy Hilfiger during New York Fashion Week.

2018: Won the Title

In 2018, Lewis Hamilton overcame another mid-season deficit to Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari to secure his fifth title.

2018: Donation to the Small Steps Project

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

2018: Return 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 similar gold helmet design with five stars to mark his championships.

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: Wins Gazzetta World Sportsman of the Year

In 2018, Lewis Hamilton won the Gazzetta World Sportsman of the Year.

2018: L. Hamilton Wins

In 2018, Lewis Hamilton won.

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".

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2018: Exceptional Performance in 2018

In 2018, Ross Brawn praised Hamilton's exceptional performance, stating he won races even when the opposition was stronger.

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.

2018: Championship victory despite Ferrari challenge

In 2018, despite an early lead by Vettel, Mercedes and Hamilton fought back to win the championship, developing a strong mutual respect with Vettel.

2018: Net worth reported

In 2018, it was reported that Lewis Hamilton had a net worth of £159 million.

2018: Tribute to Alonso

In 2018, on the cool-down lap after Alonso's final race before his two-year hiatus, Lewis Hamilton joined Sebastian Vettel in paying tribute to Alonso by driving in formation and executing donuts.

2018: Signs two-year contract with Mercedes

In the week leading up to the 2018 German Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton signed a two-year contract with Mercedes, reported to be worth up to £40 million per year.

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: Sixth World Drivers' Championship Title

In 2019, Hamilton clinched his sixth World Drivers' Championship title, leading to acclaim as the greatest driver ever.

2019: Sixth World Drivers' title

In 2019, Hamilton led the championship standings and clinched his sixth title at the United States Grand Prix. He ended the season with 11 race wins and broke his own record for most points.

2019: Fundraising for the Small Steps Project

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

2019: Gold helmet with six stars

In 2019, Lewis Hamilton used a similar gold helmet design with six stars to mark his championships.

2019: Won his sixth title

In 2019, Lewis Hamilton won his sixth title, further solidifying his position as a leading driver in Formula One.

2019: Wins PAP European Sportsperson of the Year

In 2019, Lewis Hamilton won the PAP European Sportsperson of the Year award.

2019: Hamilton as a Representative of the Sport

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

2019: Ferdinand describes racist undertones in media scrutiny

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

2019: End of Wet Weather Streak

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

2019: Tribute helmet for Niki Lauda

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 after the death of Niki Lauda.

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".

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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: Knighthood and Recognition

Following Hamilton's knighthood in 2020, Formula One CEO Stefano Domenicali recognized Hamilton as a true giant of the sport with immense influence.

2020: Seventh Drivers' title

In 2020, Hamilton dominated the season to win his seventh Drivers' title, equalling Schumacher's record. He secured 10 pole positions and 11 race victories, breaking the record for all-time most wins at the Portuguese Grand Prix. He missed the Sakhir Grand Prix after contracting COVID-19.

2020: Victory at the 2020 Turkish Grand Prix

In 2020, Hamilton's performance at the Turkish Grand Prix, where he clinched his seventh world title, was widely acclaimed as one of his greatest performances, using a one-stop strategy to win by over 30 seconds in mixed conditions.

2020: Broke records and Claimed record-equalling seventh title

In 2020, Lewis Hamilton broke several records, including the all-time win record at the Portuguese Grand Prix, and claimed his record-equalling seventh title.

2020: Matte black helmet with purple details and BLM emblem

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

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: Wins Multiple Awards

In 2020, Lewis Hamilton shared the Sportsman of the Year Award with Lionel Messi, won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award, L'Équipe Champion of Champions, shared the honorary FIA President Award with Michael Schumacher and Gazzetta World Sportsman of the Year.

2020: Listed in 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: 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 for the season finale.

2020: Richest British sports star

In 2020, Lewis Hamilton's fortune was an estimated £224 million, making him the richest British sports star in the history of the Sunday Times Rich List.

2020: Death of dog Coco

In 2020, Lewis Hamilton's second bulldog, Coco, died at the age of six.

2020: EUIPO rejects 44IP arguments

In 2020, the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) rejected 44IP's arguments, ruling that there had been no bad faith by Swatch Group and that 44IP's "LEWIS HAMILTON" trade mark did not extend to the word "HAMILTON" alone.

May 2021: Laureus Athlete Advocate of the Year Award

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

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: Highest paid F1 Driver

According to Forbes, until 2021 Lewis Hamilton was the highest-paid Formula One driver.

2021: Sky Sports Commentary

Ahead of the 2021 season, Martin Brundle of Sky Sports highlighted Lewis Hamilton's consistency and lack of mistakes.

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: Surpassed 100 race wins and pole positions

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

2021: Hamilton recalls rivalry with Vettel

In 2021, Lewis Hamilton recalled his rivalry with Sebastian Vettel as his favourite.

2021: Pole at Hungarian Grand Prix

In 2021, Lewis Hamilton secured his first pole since the Hungarian Grand Prix, surpassing Senna and Schumacher for the most pole positions at the same Grand Prix.

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: Knighthood in the New Year Honours

In 2021, Lewis Hamilton was knighted in the New Year Honours, acknowledging his significant contributions to motorsport and society.

2021: Most influential Black Briton in the Powerlist

In 2021, Lewis Hamilton was named the most influential Black Briton in the 14th Powerlist.

2021: Online racist abuse after British Grand Prix win

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

2021: Wins Best Driver ESPY Award

In 2021, Lewis Hamilton won the Best Driver ESPY Award.

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: Championship Denied in Abu Dhabi

In 2021, regulation changes led to Red Bull challenging Mercedes, with Verstappen and Hamilton emerging as title favorites. Hamilton achieved his 100th pole position and race win. Entering the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix level on points, Hamilton was denied the championship by a last-lap overtake from Verstappen. He extended his contract with Mercedes for two additional years.

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.

June 2022: Made honorary citizen of Brazil

On June 9, 2022, Lewis Hamilton was made an honorary citizen of Brazil after a proposal made by politician André Figueiredo was passed in the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies.

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: Net worth increases to £300 million

By 2022, Lewis Hamilton's net worth had increased to £300 million.

2022: Winless Campaign

In 2022, Lewis Hamilton had a winless campaign, marking a challenging season in his career.

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 as a fighter pilot in the film Top Gun: Maverick by Tom Cruise but had to decline due to Formula One commitments.

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2022: Challenging Season with Mercedes

In 2022, partnered with George Russell, Lewis Hamilton experienced his first Formula One season without a race win or pole position. Enduring a challenging campaign due to significant changes in technical regulations and issues with the W13 car, Hamilton finished sixth in the standings, behind his teammate for the first time since 2016.

2022: Helmet designed by Takashi Murakami for Japanese Grand Prix

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

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: Another Winless Season Amidst Red Bull Dominance

In 2023, Hamilton endured another winless season due to Red Bull's dominance, despite securing several podium finishes and finishing third in the standings. He also secured his record ninth pole at the Hungarian Grand Prix, his first since 2021 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 Campaign

In 2023, Lewis Hamilton experienced another winless campaign, continuing a period of challenges in his career.

2023: Helmet designed by Hajime Sorayama for Japanese Grand Prix

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

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: Difficulties with W15 Car

In 2024, Hamilton struggled to adapt to the W15 car, leading to inconsistent qualifying performances and a challenging season.

2024: Departure from Mercedes and British Grand Prix Victory

In 2024, Hamilton triggered an exit clause in his contract to leave Mercedes at the end of the season. He achieved his ninth British Grand Prix victory, ending a 31-month winless streak, and secured his 200th podium finish in Hungary. He finished the season a career-lowest 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, during 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.

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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: Future Racing in Formula One

As of 2025, Lewis Hamilton is the only black driver to have raced in the Formula One series.

2025: Only black driver to race in Formula One

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

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+.

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2025: Signed for Ferrari

In 2025, Lewis Hamilton is set to sign for Ferrari, marking a new chapter in his Formula One career.

2025: Neat Burger Shuts Down

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, 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 shaping Ferrari's competitiveness ahead of the new regulation changes, participating in meetings focused on structural changes and car development.