Lewis Hamilton: The Journey of an F1 L… read more
Lewis Hamilton, born on January 7, 1985, in Stevenage, England, is widely regarded as one of the greatest Formula One (F1) drivers in the history of the sport. From an early age, Hamilton showed prodigious talent, starting his racing journey at the age of eight. By the age of ten, he had already won the British Kart Championship. His exceptional performances caught the eye of McLaren and Mercedes-Benz, leading to his signing with their Young Driver Support Programme at just 13. Between 1998 and 2000, Hamilton dominated the karting world, winning European and world championships, and at 15, he became the youngest-ever driver ranked number one globally in the sport. His transition to auto racing was seamless; in 2003, he won the British Formula Renault Championship with 10 wins from 15 races, followed by the Formula Three Euroseries title in 2005 and the GP2 championship in 2006. In 2007, Hamilton made his Formula One debut with McLaren, finishing second in the drivers’ championship during his rookie season—a feat that included four race wins, tying Jacques Villeneuve’s record for most wins by a rookie. The following year, at just 23, Hamilton clinched his first F1 world championship in dramatic fashion, becoming the first Black driver to win the title and the youngest champion at that time. He continued with McLaren until 2012, consistently securing podiums and victories. In 2013, Hamilton made a pivotal career move by joining Mercedes. Although he won just one race in his first season, he quickly adapted and went on to dominate the sport, winning 11 races in 2014 to claim his second championship and repeating the feat in 2015 for his third title. He narrowly missed out in 2016 to teammate Nico Rosberg but returned in 2017 to win his fourth title. Between 2017 and 2020, Hamilton secured four consecutive championships, bringing his total to seven, tying Michael Schumacher’s all-time record. In 2020, he also broke Schumacher’s record for most career race victories, surpassing the 91-win mark. Beyond the track, Hamilton launched the Hamilton Commission in 2020 to address the lack of diversity in British motorsport and engineering, followed by the establishment of his charitable foundation, Mission 44. His advocacy work remains central to his legacy. The 2021 season ended in controversy when a contentious decision by race officials at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix denied him an eighth title, handing victory to Max Verstappen. This moment left Hamilton disillusioned, even considering retirement. In 2022, for the first time in his career, Hamilton failed to win a race, although he earned nine podiums and finished sixth in the standings—his worst result. A slight recovery in 2023 saw him finish third, still winless, as Mercedes struggled with new car regulations. Despite rumors of a team switch, Hamilton signed a two-year extension with Mercedes in 2023. However, he shocked the F1 world in February 2024 by announcing a move to Ferrari for the 2025 season. He bounced back that year with a win at the British Grand Prix—his first since 2021—and followed it up with a victory in Belgium, bringing his career total to 105 wins. In addition to racing, Hamilton has ventured into entertainment, appearing in Cars 2 and Cars 3, and serving as a producer and consultant on the 2025 film F1, starring Brad Pitt. Hamilton was honored as a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2009 and knighted in 2021. Now at 40, Hamilton continues to defy expectations, both on and off the track, not only as a sporting icon but also as a powerful advocate for change and equality within motorsport.
