Lewis Hamilton's Success and Achievements in Timeline

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

Lewis Hamilton is a British Formula One racing driver currently driving for Ferrari. He is statistically one of the most successful F1 drivers of all time, holding a joint-record seven World Drivers' Championship titles, tied with Michael Schumacher. He also holds records for the most wins (105), pole positions (104), and podium finishes (202).

Sections (7)

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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: 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: 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: 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: Winning with a Good Car

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

2011: Winning with a Bad Car

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

2012: Winning with a Good Car

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

2013: Highest paid F1 Driver

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

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: 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: Won the Title

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

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.

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.

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.

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: 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: 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: Consecutive Races in Point-Scoring Positions

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

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: Won the Title

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

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: Exceptional Performance in 2018

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

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.

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: 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.

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: 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.

May 2021: Laureus Athlete Advocate of the Year Award

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

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: 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: 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: Wins Best Driver ESPY Award

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

January 2022: X44 Wins Sustainability Award

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

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.

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.