Sir Lewis Hamilton

About

Sir Lewis Carl Davidson Hamilton MBE HonFREng, born on 7 January 1985, is a British racing driver known for his illustrious career in Formula One, currently driving for Mercedes. Hamilton holds a joint-record of seven Formula One World Drivers’ Championship titles, which he shares with Michael Schumacher. Furthermore, he boasts the records for the most number of wins (103), pole positions (104), and podium finishes (197), among other remarkable achievements.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Lewis Hamilton was born and raised in Stevenage, Hertfordshire. His journey in motorsport commenced at the age of eight when he began karting in 1993. Demonstrating exceptional talent, Hamilton achieved success in various local, national, and international championships.

In 1998, Hamilton joined the inaugural McLaren-Mercedes Young Driver Programme. His ascent continued as he clinched the 2003 British Formula Renault Championship, followed by victories in the 2005 Formula 3 Euro Series and the 2006 GP2 Series.

Formula One Career

Hamilton made his Formula One debut with McLaren-Mercedes in 2007, becoming the first black driver to race in the series. He enjoyed a stellar rookie season, setting numerous records and finishing runner-up to Kimi Räikkönen by a single point.

The pinnacle of Hamilton’s early career came in 2008 when he secured his maiden Formula One World Championship in dramatic fashion, with a crucial overtake on the last lap of the Brazilian Grand Prix.

After six successful seasons with McLaren, Hamilton signed with Mercedes in 2013. The introduction of turbo-hybrid engines in 2014 marked the beginning of a highly successful period for Hamilton, during which he clinched six further drivers’ titles.

Championship Success and Rivalries

Hamilton’s championship victories include consecutive titles in 2014 and 2015, amidst intense rivalry with teammate Nico Rosberg. Following Rosberg’s retirement in 2016, Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari emerged as Hamilton’s closest competitor, leading to two fiercely contested championship battles. Hamilton emerged victorious, securing consecutive titles again in 2017 and 2018.

His third and fourth consecutive titles followed in 2019 and 2020, equalling Michael Schumacher’s record of seven drivers’ titles. Despite finishing as runner-up to Max Verstappen in 2021, Hamilton has left an indelible mark on Formula One history.

Off-Track Influence

Beyond his racing achievements, Hamilton has contributed significantly to Formula One’s global appeal. His high-profile lifestyle, environmental and social activism, as well as his ventures in music and fashion, have expanded his reach beyond the sport.

Hamilton is a vocal advocate for combatting racism and promoting diversity in motorsport. His influence extends beyond the racing circuit, as evidenced by his inclusion in the 2020 Time 100 list of the most influential people globally.

In recognition of his contributions, Hamilton was knighted in the 2021 New Year Honours, adding to his list of accolades and accomplishments. He is poised to embark on a new chapter in his career, joining Ferrari for the 2025 season.