Lewis Hamilton's Success and Achievements in Timeline

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

Lewis Hamilton is a highly accomplished British Formula One racing driver currently competing for Ferrari. He holds a joint-record of seven Formula One World Drivers' Championship titles, sharing the honor with Michael Schumacher. Hamilton also holds the Formula One records for the most race wins (105), pole positions (104), and podium finishes (202), establishing him as one of the sport's most dominant and successful figures.

Sections (7)

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

2000: European Championship Win

In 2000, Lewis Hamilton won the European Championship with maximum points in Formula A, racing for TeamMBM.com with teammate Nico Rosberg.

2000: Karting World Cup and European Championship Wins

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

2005: Domination in Formula 3 Euro Series

In 2005, Lewis Hamilton dominated the Formula 3 Euro Series with ASM, winning 15 of 20 rounds and securing 13 pole positions. He also won the Marlboro Masters of Formula 3 at Zandvoort. Autosport ranked him 24th in their "Top 50 Drivers of 2005" issue.

2006: GP2 Championship Win

In 2006, Lewis Hamilton won the GP2 championship in his first attempt, driving for ART Grand Prix. He secured a dominant win at the Nürburgring and overtook two rivals at Becketts in Silverstone. He ultimately won the title after Giorgio Pantano was stripped of the fastest lap in the Monza feature race.

2008: Hamilton wins Laureus Breakthrough of the Year Award

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

2008: Hamilton wins his maiden title

In 2008, Lewis Hamilton partnered with Heikki Kovalainen and achieved five race victories and ten podium finishes. He won his maiden title at the Brazilian Grand Prix, overtaking Timo Glock for fifth place on the last lap, becoming the youngest World Drivers' Champion at the time and the first British driver to win the World Drivers' Championship since 1996.

2008: First World Drivers' Championship

In 2008, Lewis Hamilton won his maiden World Drivers' Championship, making a crucial overtake on the last lap of the last race.

2008: Victory at the British Grand Prix

In the 2008 British Grand Prix, Hamilton secured a dominant victory, besting second-place Nick Heidfeld by over a minute, marking the largest margin of victory since 1995.

2008: Hamilton wins the 2008 World Drivers' Championship

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

2009: Winning with a bad car

He 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.

2009: McLaren's challenging start and improvement

In 2009, major technical regulation changes led to a challenging start for McLaren. However, major upgrades at the German Grand Prix dramatically improved the performance of the MP4-24 car, resulting in Hamilton securing two race victories and three additional podium finishes.

2010: Winning with a good car

He 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.

2011: Winning with a bad car

He 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.

2012: Winning with a good car

He was able to win with a dominant car, with a good car like 2012, or with bad cars like 2009 and 2011. Not all the champions can say that.

2014: Second World Championship Title

After Hamilton clinched his second and third World Championship titles with Mercedes in 2014 and 2015, David Coulthard declared Hamilton the best driver of his generation, calling him "the Ayrton Senna of his era".

2014: Start of Wet Weather Dominance

From the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix, Hamilton remained unbeaten in every race affected by wet weather up to 2019, showcasing his exceptional skill in challenging conditions.

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

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

2014: Hamilton wins his second World Drivers' Championship

In 2014, changes to engine regulations marked the start of a successful era for Hamilton. He secured a career-best 11 victories and won his second World Drivers' Championship at the final round in Abu Dhabi, prevailing in a season-long duel against teammate Rosberg.

2015: Third World Championship Title

2015: Richest British sportsperson in 2015

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

2015: Hamilton wins his third World Drivers' Championship

In 2015, Lewis Hamilton fended off Rosberg's challenge for the title for a second year running, winning 10 races. He achieved his first back-to-back championships, clinching the title at the United States Grand Prix with three races to spare. Hamilton also extended his contract with Mercedes.

2016: Powerlist Top 10 Ranking

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

2017: Hamilton wins Best Driver ESPY Award and is inducted into FIA Hall of Fame

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

2017: Fourth World Title

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

2017: Powerlist Top 10 Ranking

In 2017, Lewis Hamilton ranked in the top 10 of the Powerlist, which lists the most influential Black Britons.

2017: Hamilton wins his fourth World Drivers' title

In 2017, Lewis Hamilton was partnered by Valtteri Bottas. He won his fourth World Drivers' title at the Mexican Grand Prix with two races to spare, registering 11 pole positions and nine race victories.

2018: Consecutive Races in Point-Scoring Positions

From 2017 to 2018, Hamilton finished 33 consecutive races in point-scoring positions. In 2018, Ross Brawn praised Hamilton for winning races even when the opposition was stronger.

2018: Hamilton wins Gazzetta World Sportsman of the Year

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

2018: Hamilton wins his fifth title at the Mexican Grand Prix

In 2018, Lewis Hamilton and Vettel engaged in a close battle for their fifth title, with Hamilton ultimately winning at the Mexican Grand Prix for a second year running. He secured 11 pole positions and race victories, setting a new record for most points scored in a season (408). Hamilton also signed a two-year contract extension with Mercedes.

2018: Gold Helmet with Five Stars

In 2018, Lewis Hamilton continued the practice of wearing gold helmets for season finales, sporting one with five stars, representing his five World Championship titles.

2018: Fifth World Title

In 2018, Lewis Hamilton secured his fifth World Championship title, again overturning a mid-season deficit against Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari.

2018: Hamilton named PETA Person of the Year

In 2018, Lewis Hamilton was named the PETA Person of the Year for his vegan activism and stated he gave up drinking.

2019: Sixth World Drivers' Championship Title

Following Hamilton clinching his sixth World Drivers' Championship title in 2019, ex-Formula One driver and pundit Johnny Herbert acclaimed Hamilton as the greatest driver ever.

2019: Hamilton wins PAP European Sportsperson of the Year

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

2019: Hamilton Clinches Sixth Title

In 2019, Lewis 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 scored.

2019: Sixth World Title

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

2019: Gold Helmet with Six Stars

Lewis Hamilton sported a gold helmet with six stars at the season finale in 2019, commemorating his six World Championship titles.

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: Wet Weather Win at Turkish Grand Prix

At the 2020 Turkish Grand Prix, Hamilton clinched his seventh world title with a widely acclaimed wet weather drive. He cited the race as his "stand-out" performance of the season, gambling on a one-stop strategy in mixed conditions.

2020: Hamilton's Knighthood

Following Hamilton's knighthood in 2020, Formula One CEO Stefano Domenicali praised Hamilton as "a true giant of our sport" and highlighted his significant influence.

2020: Hamilton shares Sportsman of the Year Award with Lionel Messi

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

2020: Hamilton wins his seventh title

In 2020, Hamilton won his seventh World Drivers' Championship, tying the all-time record set by Michael Schumacher.

2020: Hamilton becomes richest British sports star

In 2020, 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: Record-Equaling Seventh Title

In 2020, Lewis Hamilton claimed his record-equaling seventh World Championship, breaking the all-time win record at the Portuguese Grand Prix.

2020: Time 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 recognized by Time as one of the 100 most influential people globally, acknowledging his broader impact beyond Formula One.

May 2021: Hamilton receives Laureus Athlete Advocate of the Year Award

In May 2021, Lewis Hamilton was the first recipient of the Laureus Athlete Advocate of the Year Award.

2021: Pole Position at Hungarian Grand Prix

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

2021: Hamilton wins Best Driver ESPY Award

In 2021, Hamilton won the Best Driver ESPY Award.

2021: Surpassing 100 Race Wins and Pole Positions

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

2021: Most Influential Black Briton

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

2021: Neat Burger wins awards and Hamilton tours via PORTL hologram

In 2021, Neat Burger was crowned Best Vegan Restaurant at the Deliveroo Restaurant Awards for the second consecutive year and named PETA's Company of the Year. Throughout 2021, Hamilton toured the world via PORTL hologram.