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 competing for Ferrari. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest drivers in the history of the sport. Hamilton has achieved a joint-record seven World Drivers' Championship titles, tying with Michael Schumacher. He also holds numerous records, including the most wins (105), pole positions (104), and podium finishes (202). His career has been marked by exceptional skill, consistent performance, and significant influence on Formula One racing.

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 1996

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

2000: Became European Champion

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

2000: Won Karting World Cup and European Championship

In 2000, Lewis Hamilton won the direct-drive Karting World Cup and European Championship, marking significant achievements 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 the 20 rounds and securing 13 pole positions, also winning the Marlboro Masters of Formula 3 at Zandvoort.

2006: Won GP2 Championship

In 2006, Lewis Hamilton won the GP2 championship at his first attempt with ART Grand Prix, beating Nelson Piquet Jr. and demonstrating remarkable driving skills throughout the season.

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.

2008: Partnering Heikki Kovalainen for 2008

In 2008, Lewis Hamilton partnered with Heikki Kovalainen. He amassed five race victories and 10 podium finishes. Ferrari drivers, along with Robert Kubica, emerged as his closest rivals, as they engaged in a close battle for the title with Hamilton during the first half of the season. At the rain-affected British Grand Prix, he won by over a minute from second-placed Nick Heidfeld. Hamilton won his maiden title at the season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix, overtaking Timo Glock for fifth-place to become the then-youngest World Drivers' Champion.

2008: First World Drivers' Championship

In 2008, Lewis Hamilton won his maiden title, making a title-deciding overtake on the last lap of the last race of the season to become the then-youngest World Drivers' Champion.

2008: Won the British Grand Prix

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

2009: Won with bad car

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

2009: Major Technical Regulation Changes in 2009

In 2009, major technical regulation changes led to a challenging start for McLaren. Hamilton's chances of defending his title became unfeasible. Major upgrades at the German Grand Prix saw a dramatic improvement in performance. Securing two race victories and three additional podium finishes across the remaining nine rounds.

2010: Won with good car

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

2011: Won with bad car

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

2012: Won with good car

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

2014: Mercedes dominance begins

From 2014, Mercedes had three years of dominance, but Ferrari produced a car capable of fighting for the championship in 2017 and 2018.

2014: Second World Championship Title with Mercedes

In 2014, Hamilton clinched his second World Championship title with Mercedes, leading David Coulthard to declare him the best driver of his generation.

2014: Won the World Drivers' Championship

In 2014, Lewis Hamilton won the World Drivers' Championship amidst a fierce rivalry with Nico Rosberg, known as the Silver War, during which Mercedes emerged as the dominant force in Formula One.

2014: Turbo-Hybrid Engines and Hamilton's Success in 2014

In 2014, changes to engine regulations contributed to the start of a highly successful era for Hamilton. Hamilton secured a career-best 11 victories as he prevailed in a season-long duel for the title against teammate Rosberg. Hamilton clinched his second World Drivers' Championship at the final round in Abu Dhabi.

2015: Third World Championship Title with Mercedes

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

2015: Hamilton Fended Off Rosberg's Challenge in 2015

In 2015, Hamilton fended off Rosberg's challenge for the title for a second year running, winning 10 races from a then-joint record 17 podium finishes. Hamilton achieved his first back-to-back championships. Hamilton clinched the title with three races to spare. Hamilton extended his contract with Mercedes for three additional years.

2015: Won the World Drivers' Championship

In 2015, Lewis Hamilton secured another World Drivers' Championship amidst his ongoing intense rivalry with Nico Rosberg, continuing Mercedes' dominance in Formula One.

2016: Mercedes dominance continues

From 2014 to 2016, Mercedes enjoyed three years of dominance in Formula One.

2016: Ranked in top 10 of Powerlist

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

2017: Gold helmet after fourth title win

After winning his fourth title in 2017, Lewis Hamilton wore a gold helmet with four stars at the 2017 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The helmet also featured the words "World Champion".

2017: Won the World Drivers' Championship

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

2017: Ranked in top 10 of Powerlist

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

2017: Partnered by Valtteri Bottas in 2017

In 2017, following Rosberg's retirement, Hamilton was partnered by Valtteri Bottas. Hamilton dominated the subsequent races, winning five in six, including the Italian Grand Prix where he broke the record for all-time most pole positions. Hamilton won his fourth World Drivers' title at the Mexican Grand Prix with two races to spare.

2018: Consecutive races in 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. Ross Brawn praised Hamilton's performance over 2018.

2018: Championship fight with Vettel

In 2018, Hamilton and Mercedes fought back against Vettel and Ferrari, ultimately winning the championship.

2018: Fight for Five in 2018

In 2018, Hamilton and Vettel engaged in a much closer battle for their fifth title. Beginning from the German Grand Prix Hamilton repeated his run of consecutive wins to clinch his fifth title at the Mexican Grand Prix for a second year running. During the season, Hamilton signed a two-year contract extension with Mercedes.

2018: Named PETA Person of the Year

In 2018, Hamilton was named the PETA Person of the Year for his vegan activism.

2018: Won the World Drivers' Championship

In 2018, Lewis Hamilton again overturned a mid-season points deficit to Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari to secure his fifth World Drivers' Championship title.

2018: Gold helmet with five stars

In 2018, Lewis Hamilton used a similar gold helmet design with five stars to commemorate his fifth championship win.

2019: Hamilton clinched his sixth title in 2019

Hamilton led the championship standings for the majority of 2019. Hamilton clinched his sixth title at the United States Grand Prix with two races remaining. Hamilton ended the season with 11 race wins in 17 podiums and broke his own record for most points by scoring a total of 413 points.

2019: Gold helmet with six stars

In 2019, Lewis Hamilton used a similar gold helmet design with six stars to commemorate his sixth championship win.

2020: Hamilton's knighthood

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

2020: Hamilton Dominated the 2020 Season

Hamilton dominated the 2020 season to win his seventh Drivers' title, equalling the record for most titles set by Schumacher, in a season heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Hamilton missed the Sakhir Grand Prix after contracting COVID-19. Hamilton clinched the title at the rain-affected Turkish Grand Prix with three rounds to spare.

2020: Clinched seventh world title at Turkish Grand Prix

In 2020, Hamilton clinched his seventh world title at the Turkish Grand Prix, in what Joe Saward described as "one of his greatest performances". He cited the race as his "stand-out" performance of the season.

2020: Record-Equalling Seventh World Title

In 2020, Lewis Hamilton broke several records, including the all-time win record at the Portuguese Grand Prix, to claim his record-equalling seventh World Drivers' Championship.

2020: Listed as 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: Named 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 impact beyond Formula One.

May 2021: Laureus Athlete Advocate of the Year Award

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

2021: Took Record Ninth Pole at Hungarian Grand Prix

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

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 runner-up to Max Verstappen amidst a controversial finish.

2021: Knighthood

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

2021: Named 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.