Lewis Hamilton's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Lewis Hamilton.

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.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

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.

2000: European Champion in Formula A

In 2000, Lewis Hamilton became European Champion in Formula A with maximum points. The same year, he was made a "Rising Star" Member by the British Racing Drivers' Club.

2000: Karting World Cup and European Championship Wins

In 2000, Lewis Hamilton won the Karting World Cup and European Championship, marking further progression in his early racing career.

2005: Dominated Formula 3 Euro Series

In 2005, Lewis Hamilton dominated the Formula 3 Euro Series season with ASM, winning 15 of 20 rounds and securing 13 pole positions. He also won the Marlboro Masters of Formula 3 at Zandvoort.

2008: Partnership with Heikki Kovalainen and Title Fight

In 2008, Lewis Hamilton partnered with Heikki Kovalainen, securing five race victories and ten podium finishes. He engaged in a close title battle with Ferrari drivers and Robert Kubica. Winning the rain-affected British Grand Prix by over a minute, Hamilton's performance was hailed as one of the greatest in Formula One history. He ultimately won his maiden title at the Brazilian Grand Prix, becoming the then-youngest World Drivers' Champion.

2008: Maiden Formula One Title

In 2008, Lewis Hamilton won his maiden Formula One World Drivers' Championship, becoming the then-youngest World Drivers' Champion after a title-deciding overtake on the last lap of the last race of the season.

2008: Laureus Breakthrough of the Year Award

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

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 recorded since 1995.

2008: Hamilton won 2008 World Driver's 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: Winning with a Bad Car

In 2009, Hamilton was able to win with a bad car, showcasing his versatility as a driver.

2009: Challenging Season with McLaren and Performance Improvement

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 car's performance. From that point onward, Hamilton advanced in the standings, securing two race victories and three additional podium finishes.

2010: Winning with a Good Car

In 2010, Hamilton was able to win with a good car, showcasing his versatility as a driver.

2011: Winning with a Bad Car

In 2011, Hamilton was able to win with a bad car, showcasing his versatility as a driver.

2012: Winning with a Good Car

In 2012, Hamilton was able to win with a good car, showcasing his versatility as a driver.

2014: Start of Unbeaten Streak in Wet Weather Races

From the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix, Hamilton remained unbeaten in every race affected by wet weather until 2019.

2014: Won Second World Title

In 2014, Lewis Hamilton won his second Formula One World Drivers' Championship title with Mercedes.

2014: Awards and Honors in 2014

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

2014: Second World Drivers' Championship

The 2014 season brought changes to engine regulations, contributing to a successful era for Hamilton. Mercedes won 16 of 19 races, with Hamilton securing 11 victories in a duel against Rosberg. Despite mid-season misfortunes, Hamilton clinched his second World Drivers' Championship at the final round in Abu Dhabi.

2015: Third World Drivers' Championship

In 2015, Hamilton secured his third World Drivers' Championship, fending off Rosberg's challenge. Winning 10 races and leading the championship throughout the season, Hamilton achieved his first back-to-back championships. The rivalry with Rosberg intensified, and Hamilton extended his contract with Mercedes.

2015: Won Third World Title

In 2015, Lewis Hamilton won his third Formula One World Drivers' Championship title with Mercedes, continuing his dominance in the sport.

2016: Top 10 in Powerlist

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

2017: Championship fight with Vettel

In 2017, Ferrari produced a car that was capable of fighting for the championship. Sebastian Vettel, driving for Ferrari, enjoyed an early lead on points, but Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton fought back to reduce point deficits and ultimately won the championship.

2017: Fourth World Drivers' Title

In 2017, Hamilton partnered with Valtteri Bottas. After Ferrari emerged as the team to beat, Vettel led the standings throughout the first half of the season. After the summer break, Hamilton won five in six races, and won his fourth World Drivers' title at the Mexican Grand Prix with two races to spare, registering a total of 11 pole positions, nine race victories, and equalling the record for most grand slams in a season (3).

2017: Won Fourth World Title

In 2017, Lewis Hamilton claimed his fourth Formula One World Drivers' Championship title after overturning a mid-season points deficit to Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari.

2017: Awards and Honors in 2017

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

2017: Top 10 in Powerlist

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

2018: Fifth World Drivers' Championship

In 2018, Hamilton and Vettel engaged in a close battle for their fifth title, but Vettel made errors in the German Grand Prix which led to Hamilton to clinch his fifth title at the Mexican Grand Prix. He secured 11 pole positions and race victories and set a record for most points scored in a season (408). Hamilton also signed a two-year contract extension with Mercedes, becoming the best-paid Formula One driver in history.

2018: Continued Consistency Praised by Ross Brawn

In 2018, Hamilton's consistent performance was praised by Ross Brawn, who noted his ability to win races even when the opposition was stronger.

2018: Second championship fight with Vettel

In 2018, Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes fought back to reduce point deficits and ultimately won the championship. There were some on-track flash points, most notably the 2017 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, when Vettel accused Hamilton of brake checking and drove into Hamilton in retaliation, earning a penalty, the pair developed a strong mutual respect in a hard but fairly contested fight.

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: Won Fifth World Title

In 2018, Lewis Hamilton won his fifth Formula One World Drivers' Championship title, once again overcoming a mid-season deficit to Sebastian Vettel.

2018: Awards and Honors in 2018

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

2019: Acclaimed as the Greatest Driver Ever

Following Hamilton clinching a sixth World Drivers' Championship title in 2019, Johnny Herbert acclaimed Hamilton as the greatest driver ever.

2019: Sixth World Drivers' Championship

In 2019, Hamilton led the championship standings and clinched his sixth title at the United States Grand Prix. After scoring his sixth career grand slam at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Hamilton ended the season with 11 race wins and broke his own record for most points by scoring 413 points.

2019: Won Sixth World Title

In 2019, Lewis Hamilton secured his sixth Formula One World Drivers' Championship title, further cementing his legacy in the sport.

2019: Awards and Honors in 2019

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

2019: Praised as a Representative of the Sport

In 2019, Luke Slater of The Telegraph argued that there have been few better representatives of the sport than Hamilton, both on and off the track.

2020: Seventh Title and Discussions of All-Time Greatness

After Hamilton won his seventh title in 2020, John Watson stated that Hamilton is the greatest driver of his generation and argued that he may be the greatest Formula One driver of all time.

2020: Knighthood and Recognition as a True Giant

Following Hamilton's knighthood in 2020, Formula One CEO Stefano Domenicali said that Hamilton is a true giant of the sport and that his influence is huge both in and out of a car.

2020: Seventh World Drivers' Title

Hamilton dominated the 2020 season to win his seventh Drivers' title, equalling the record for most titles set by Schumacher. He secured ten pole positions and eleven race victories, breaking the record for all-time most wins. Hamilton missed the Sakhir Grand Prix after contracting COVID-19. He clinched the title at the Turkish Grand Prix.

2020: Awards and Honors in 2020

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

2020: 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: Equalled World Title Record

In 2020, Lewis Hamilton won his record-equalling seventh Formula One World Drivers' Championship and broke the all-time win record at the Portuguese Grand Prix.

2020: Hamilton Won His Seventh Title

In 2020, Lewis Hamilton won his seventh title, tying the all-time record set by Michael Schumacher.

2020: Victory at the 2020 Turkish Grand Prix

In the 2020 Turkish Grand Prix, Hamilton secured his seventh world title with a performance widely acclaimed as one of his greatest. He won by over 30 seconds, citing the race as his "stand-out" performance of the season.

May 2021: Laureus Athlete Advocate of the Year Award

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

2021: Praised for Few Mistakes and Completeness

Ahead of the 2021 season, Martin Brundle highlighted Hamilton's ability to avoid mistakes and his completeness as a driver.

2021: Knighthood

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

2021: Most influential Black Briton

In 2021, Lewis Hamilton was named the most influential Black Briton in the 14th Powerlist, for his sporting success and his advocacy in the Black Lives Matter movement. He was also knighted in the 2021 New Year Honours for services to motorsports.

2021: Awards and Honors in 2021

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

January 2022: X44 wins Extreme E Sustainability Award

In January 2022, X44 were crowned inaugural winners of the Extreme E Sustainability Award.

June 2022: Hamilton Made Honorary Citizen of Brazil

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