See the latest Lewis Hamilton news and race reports

Biography and Early Career

Lewis Hamilton was born on 7 January 1985 in Stevenage, England. Raised in a supportive family, Hamilton’s interest in racing began early. By the age of ten, he had already become the youngest driver to win the national cadet karting championship. That same year, he famously approached McLaren boss Ron Dennis at an awards ceremony to declare his dream of racing for the team. In 1998, at just 13 years old, Hamilton was signed to the McLaren and Mercedes Young Driver Programme, a move that paved the way to Formula 1.

With the backing of McLaren and Mercedes, Hamilton progressed through the junior categories, winning the British Formula Renault 2.0 title in 2003, the Formula 3 Euro Series in 2005, and the GP2 Series in 2006. His GP2 campaign, which included standout performances such as a dramatic victory in Turkey, cemented his reputation as a future F1 star. Later that year, McLaren announced Hamilton as a race driver for the 2007 season, making him the first Black driver in Formula 1.

Formula 1 Career

McLaren and Mercedes Years (2007–2024)

Hamilton made his Formula 1 debut with McLaren in 2007 and delivered one of the greatest rookie seasons in the sport’s history. He scored podium finishes in his first nine races, won four Grands Prix, and missed out on the title by just one point. In 2008, he became World Champion, winning five races and sealing the title in a dramatic last-lap overtake at the Brazilian Grand Prix.

Hamilton remained with McLaren until 2012, winning races every season and finishing fourth or better in the championship on multiple occasions. In 2013, he made a bold move to Mercedes, a decision that would define the next decade of his career.

From 2014 to 2020, Hamilton and Mercedes dominated the hybrid era. He won six World Championships with the team (2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020), breaking numerous records including most career wins, pole positions, and podiums. In 2021, he narrowly lost the title to Max Verstappen in a controversial season finale.

The 2022 and 2023 seasons saw Mercedes struggle under new technical regulations, and Hamilton endured his first winless campaigns. In 2024, he returned to winning ways with victories at the British and Belgian Grands Prix, bringing his career total to 105 wins.

Ferrari Move (2025)

In a high-profile switch, Hamilton joined Scuderia Ferrari for 2025 to partner Charles Leclerc. The move was driven by the desire for a final career challenge and the ambition to bring Ferrari back to championship contention.

The transition proved difficult. The Ferrari SF-25 lacked the pace to challenge regularly for podiums, and Hamilton’s best finish in the first half of the season was fourth at Imola. Despite the on-track struggles, he played a significant role behind the scenes, offering technical feedback and leadership as Ferrari worked to improve.

Hamilton ended the 2025 season sixth in the Drivers’ standings with 109 points, while Leclerc finished fifth. The year was challenging, but Hamilton remained focused on helping Ferrari develop into a title contender for 2026.

Driving Style and Strengths

Hamilton is widely regarded as one of the most complete drivers in Formula 1 history. His qualifying pace is unmatched, with over 100 pole positions to his name, and he is equally formidable in race conditions.

He excels in wheel-to-wheel battles, wet-weather driving, and strategic race management. Hamilton’s ability to adapt to different car designs and changing track conditions has kept him competitive across multiple eras. His tyre management skills allow him to execute alternative strategies effectively, while his calm, calculated approach ensures minimal mistakes even under intense pressure.