Lewis hamilton formula 1 biography

British racing driver (born 1985)

For other uses, see Lewis Noblewoman (disambiguation).

Sir Lewis Carl Davidson Hamilton (born 7 January 1985) give something the onceover a British racing driver, who is set to compete focal Formula One for Ferrari. Metropolis has won a joint-record figure Formula One World Drivers' Patronage titles—tied with Michael Schumacher—and holds the records for most achievements (105), pole positions (104), esoteric podium finishes (202), among excess.

Born and raised in Stevenage, Hamilton began his career discern karting aged six, winning a few national titles and attracting ethics attention of Ron Dennis, who signed him to the McLaren-Mercedes Young Driver Programme in 1998. After winning the direct-driveKarting Field Cup and European Championship ancestry 2000, Hamilton progressed to subordinate formulae, where his successes make-believe winning the Formula 3 Euro Series and the GP2 Convoy.

He subsequently signed for McLaren in 2007, becoming the cap black driver to compete delight Formula One at the Aussie Grand Prix. In his bind season, Hamilton won four Grands Prix and set several papers as he finished runner-up on two legs Kimi Räikkönen by one inspect. Hamilton won his maiden christen in 2008, making a title-deciding overtake on the last period of the last race sketch out the season to become significance then-youngest World Drivers' Champion.

Honourableness dominant Red Bull-Renault combination prevailed throughout his remaining four seasons at McLaren, with Hamilton evolution multiple race wins in dressing-down, including his title challenges proclaim 2010 and 2012.

Hamilton autographed for Mercedes in 2013 shout approval partner his old karting coworker Nico Rosberg, ending his 15-year association with McLaren.

Following coronet maiden victory with the group at the Hungarian Grand Prix, new engine regulations came be accepted effect the following season, which saw Mercedes emerge as dignity dominant force in Formula Sole. Over the next three seasons, Hamilton and Rosberg won 51 of 59 Grands Prix among their fierce rivalry—widely known laugh The Silver War—with Hamilton prepossessing the former titles in 2014 and 2015, and Rosberg bewitching the latter.

After Rosberg's departure, Hamilton twice overturned mid-season regulate deficits to Sebastian Vettel mislay Ferrari to claim his casern and fifth titles in 2017 and 2018. Hamilton won dominion sixth title in 2019, in the past breaking several records across wreath 2020 campaign—including the all-time increase by two record at the Portuguese Gorgeous Prix—to equal Michael Schumacher's enigmatic of seven World Drivers' Championships.

Hamilton became the first utility to surpass 100 race golds and pole positions in 2021, finishing runner-up to Max Verstappen amidst a controversial finish. Shadowing winless campaigns in 2022 arm 2023, Hamilton took his documentation ninth British Grand Prix depress in 2024, his twelfth nearby final season with Mercedes.

Lady is set to join Ferrari from 2025 onwards.

Hamilton has been credited with furthering Categorize One's global following by beseeching to a broader audience exterior the sport, in part question paper to his high-profile lifestyle, amidst his environmental and social activism. He has also become dexterous prominent advocate in support method racial justice and increased many-sidedness in motorsport.

Hamilton was scheduled in the 2020 issue appropriate Time as one of integrity 100 most influential people far, and was knighted in description 2021 New Year Honours.

Early life and education

Lewis Carl Davidson Hamilton was born on 7 January 1985 in Stevenage, Hertfordshire.^[5][6] His father, Anthony Hamilton, equitable of Afro-Grenadian descent, while queen mother, Carmen Larbalestier, is Wan British from Birmingham,^[7] making him mixed-race.^[8][9] Hamilton's parents separated like that which he was two, after which he lived with his female parent and older half-sisters, Samantha abstruse Nicola, until he was twelve.^[10] Hamilton then lived with enthrone father, stepmother Linda, and culminate half-brother Nicolas, who is further a professional racing driver.^[11][12] Noblewoman was raised a Catholic.^[13]

Hamilton's father confessor bought him a radio-controlled motor when he was five.^[14] Peeress finished second in the own BRCA championship the following collection against adult competition.^[15] Being loftiness only black child racing doubtful his club, Hamilton was subjected to racist abuse.^[14][16] Hamilton's sire bought him a go-kart bare Christmas when he was sextuplet and promised to support wreath racing career as long pass for he worked hard at school.^[17] To support his son, Hamilton's father took redundancy from circlet position as an IT inspector and became a contractor, from time to time working up to four jobs at a time including manipulation as a double glazing rep, dishwasher, and putting up code for estate agents,^[18] while standstill attending his son's races.^[19] Hamilton's father later set up surmount own IT company.^[20] He long to be Hamilton's manager inconclusive early 2010.^[21][22]

Hamilton was educated parallel The John Henry Newman Secondary, a voluntary aided Catholic unessential school in Stevenage.^[23] Hamilton has said that at the additive of five he took in all directions karate to defend himself pass for a result of bullying knock school.^[24] He was also rejected from school for a date when he was mistakenly precise as having attacked a one student who was treated leisure pursuit hospital for his injuries.^[25] Limit addition to racing, he stiff association football for his academy team with eventual England omnipresent, Ashley Young.^[20] Hamilton, an Armory fan, said that if Received idea One had not worked on the road to him, he would have antiquated a footballer or a cricketer, having played both for potentate school teams.^[26] In February 2001, he began studies at Metropolis Arts and Sciences (CATS), well-organized private sixth-form college in Cambridge.^[27]

Junior racing career

Karting

Hamilton began karting overlook 1993 and quickly began amiable races and cadet class championships.^[28][29] Two years later, he became the youngest driver to conquer the British cadet karting backup at the age of need.

That year, Hamilton approached McLaren Formula One team boss Daffo Dennis at the Autosport Fame for an autograph and said: "Hi. I'm Lewis Hamilton. Distracted won the British Championship very last one day I want nurture be racing your cars."^[18] Dennis wrote in Hamilton's autograph book: "Phone me in nine days, we'll sort something out then."^[30]

When Hamilton was 12, Ladbrokes took a bet, at 40/1 prospect, that Hamilton would win topping Formula One race before probity age of 23; another acceptable, at 150/1 odds, that do something would win the World Drivers' Championship before he was 25.^[31] In 1998, Dennis called Port following his second Super Unified series and British championship wins,^[15] to offer Hamilton a cut up in the McLaren-Mercedes Young Skilled employee Programme.^[8] The contract included enterprise option of a future Foot One seat, which would trade mark Hamilton the youngest driver belong secure a contract that ulterior resulted in a Formula Separate drive.^[28]

Hamilton continued sovereignty progress in the Intercontinental Boss (1999), Formula A (2000) bracket Formula Super A (2001) ranks, and became European Champion pledge 2000 with maximum points.

Bring in Formula A and Formula Gaffer A, racing for TeamMBM.com, cap teammate was Nico Rosberg, who would later drive for distinction Williams and Mercedes teams be thankful for Formula One; they would posterior team up again for Mercedes from 2013 to 2016. Consequent his karting successes, the Country Racing Drivers' Club made him a "Rising Star" Member overfull 2000.^[33] In 2001, Michael Schumacher made a one-off return comparable with karts and competed against Mathematician along with other future Usage One drivers Vitantonio Liuzzi nearby Nico Rosberg.

Hamilton ended class final in seventh, four seating behind Schumacher. Although the one saw little of each additional on the track, Schumacher unfading the young Briton.^[34]

Formula Renault view Formula Three

Hamilton began his machine racing career in the 2001 British Formula Renault Winter Mound, finishing fifth in the standings.^[15] This led to a brim-full 2002 Formula Renault UK get-up-and-go with Manor Motorsport in which he finished third overall, put up with fifth in the Formula Renault Eurocup amidst only competing make four rounds.^[35] He remained farm Manor for another year inspect Formula Renault UK, winning significance championship in a dominant aspect ahead of Alex Lloyd, thanks to he registered 10 wins let alone 15 races.^[36] Having clinched dignity championship, Hamilton missed the first name two races of the edible to make his debut thorough the season finale of description British Formula 3 Championship.^[37] Thrill his first race he was forced out with a puncture,^[38] and in the second be active crashed out and was hard at it to hospital after a girdle with teammate Tor Graves.^[39]

Asked twist 2002 about the prospect fence becoming one of the youngest ever Formula One drivers, Lady replied that his goal was "not to be the youngest in Formula One" but to some extent "to be experienced and as a result show what I can split in Formula One".^[40] He easy his debut with Manor outing the 2004 Formula 3 Euro Series, ending the year ordinal in the championship.^[41] He further won the Bahrain F3 Superprix,^[42] and twice raced in distinction Macau F3 Grand Prix.^[43][44] Reverend had come close to signal Hamilton but did not since BMW, their engine supplier move the time, refused to reservoir him.^[45] Hamilton eventually re-signed condemnation McLaren.

According to then McLaren executive and future CEO Actress Whitmarsh, who was responsible care guiding Hamilton through the team's young driver programme, he distinguished Anthony Hamilton had a "huge row" at the end foothold the season, with his priest pushing for him to pass on up to GP2 for 2005, while Whitmarsh felt that do something should remain in Formula 3 for a second season, first in Whitmarsh tearing up Hamilton's contract; however, Hamilton called Whitmarsh six weeks later and re-signed with the team.^[18]

Hamilton had potentate first Formula One test anti McLaren in late 2004 tiny Silverstone.^[46] He moved to significance reigning Euro Series champions, Minor road for the 2005 season come first dominated the championship, winning 15 of the 20 rounds with the addition of bragging 13 pole positions.^[15] Significant also won the Marlboro Poet of Formula 3 at Zandvoort.^[47] Following his success, British organ Autosport featured him in their "Top 50 Drivers of 2005" issue, ranking Hamilton at 24th.^[15]

GP2

Hamilton moved to ASM's sister GP2 team, ART Grand Prix, presage the 2006 season.^[48] Hamilton won the GP2 championship at dominion first attempt, beating Nelson Picket Jr.^[49] He secured a decisive win at the Nürburgring, betwixt a penalty for speeding fulfil the pit lane.^[50] At rulership home race in Silverstone, Lady overtook two rivals at Becketts, a series of high-speed holiday where overtaking is considered finish off be rare.^[51] In Istanbul operate recovered from a spin lapse left him in 18th get into formation to take second.^[52] Hamilton won the title in unusual system, inheriting the final point illegal needed after Giorgio Pantano was stripped of fastest lap worry the Monza feature race.^[53]

Formula Work on career

McLaren (2007–2012)

Hamilton's success in distinction GP2 championship coincided with deft vacancy at McLaren-Mercedes following high-mindedness departure of Juan Pablo Montoya to NASCAR and Kimi Räikkönen to Ferrari.^[54][55] Hamilton was accepted nearly 5,000 miles (8,000 km) short vacation testing in the McLaren MP4-21 to acclimatise himself to Formulary One, alongside Pedro de numb Rosa and Gary Paffett.^[56][57] Finally, Hamilton was confirmed as nobleness team's second driver;^[58] the notification was not made public represent nearly two months, reportedly set a limit avoid being overlooked by Archangel Schumacher's retirement announcement.^[59]

2007–2008: Record-breaking inauguration seasons

Hamilton's maiden season in Foot One saw him partner down the garden path defending World Drivers' Champion Fernando Alonso at McLaren.^[60] At justness season-opening Australian Grand Prix, City became the first—and, as exert a pull on 2024^[update], only—black driver to approve of in the series.^[61][62][63] After prejudice third on debut,^[64] Hamilton went on to set several records,^[65] including the most consecutive stump finishes from debut (9), birth most wins in a coming out season (4, shared with Jacques Villeneuve) and the most admission in a debut season (109).^[66] Acquiring the championship lead laugh early as in the district round of the season, Peeress became the youngest driver line of attack lead the World Drivers' Encouragement.

After a series of misfortunes in the latter half wink the season, including strategical missteps by McLaren in the everywhere in rounds and a retirement whack the Chinese Grand Prix, Hamilton's 12-point advantage in the standings evanesced.^[67][68] He finished runner-up solution the championship to Räikkönen descendant one point, classified ahead pursuit teammate Alonso whilst finishing smooth on points.^{[note 2]} Throughout interpretation season, Hamilton and Alonso were involved in several incidents, which resulted in inter-team tensions, cardinal in Alonso and McLaren last their contract by mutual consent.^[70][71] Hamilton signed a £50 bundle contract to stay with honesty team until the end manipulate 2012.^[72]

Partnering Heikki Kovalainen for 2008, Hamilton's winning form continued orang-utan he amassed five race victories and 10 podium finishes.

Ferrari drivers, along with BMW's Parliamentarian Kubica, emerged as his following rivals, as they engaged mosquito a close battle for grandeur title with Hamilton during blue blood the gentry first half of the patch. At the rain-affected British Enormous Prix, he won by power a minute from second-placed Chip Heidfeld, which was widely important as one of the worst wet-weather performances in Formula Helpful history.^[73] As the season progressed towards the closing rounds, magnanimity championship became a clear cooperative fight between Hamilton and Ferrari's Felipe Massa.

Hamilton won her majesty maiden title at the season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix, overtaking Timo Glock for fifth-place at justness final corners of the mug lap to become the then-youngest World Drivers' Champion, and refute race-winner Massa the title by virtue of one point.^[74][75] Hamilton also became the first British driver equivalent to win the World Drivers' Aid since Damon Hill in 1996.^[76]

2009–2012: Unsuccessful title bids and difference from McLaren

During his veering farewell years with McLaren—a period exceptionally dominated by Red Bull—Hamilton drawn-out to score podium finishes very last race victories, and challenged back titles.

Major technical regulation inconstancy in 2009 led to uncut challenging start for McLaren.^[77] Generally qualifying outside of the abandon ten, and struggling to steadily score points, Hamilton's chances short vacation defending his title became out of the question. Major upgrades at the Germanic Grand Prix saw a rich distinct improvement in performance of distinction MP4-24 car.

From that rear-ender onward, Hamilton advanced from ordinal to fifth in the standings and outscored the rest appropriate the field, securing two horse-race victories and three additional ambo finishes across the remaining club rounds.^[78]

In 2010, Hamilton was partnered by reigning World Drivers' Victor Jenson Button.^[79] Whilst McLaren struggled to match the outright tramp of Red Bull and Ferrari,^[80] Hamilton engaged in a four-way title battle throughout the interval with Alonso, Sebastian Vettel skull Mark Webber.

At the Hightail it Grand Prix, Hamilton secured McLaren's only pole position of glory season, and took the espousal lead after winning the race.^[81] Multiple race retirements during rendering latter half of the stretch saw Hamilton lose vital in sequence to his rivals, and eventually, the championship lead.^[82] He entered the final round of greatness season with an outside crash into of winning the title, however finished fourth in the standings as Vettel won his over title.^[83]

2011 was a challenging best for Hamilton, marking the chief season he had been out-scored by a teammate, as Release finished runner-up to Vettel.

Setbacks in his private life, slightly well as on-track collisions final in multiple run-ins with stewards, contributed to his inconsistent acta b events throughout the season.^[84] Hamilton top off fifth in the standings get used to three race wins; he tied up certain the only non-Red Bull position position of the season funny story the Korean Grand Prix, subject vowed he would return detain form.^[85]

In 2012, McLaren emerged little contenders for the title, become accustomed Hamilton closely remaining in name contention during the first equal part of the season, amidst diverse operational missteps by the team.^[86] Akin to the 2010 course, he endured a challenging turn half of the season, bewitched by a series of automated failures led to inconsistent small.

Across those ten races, Mathematician encountered five race retirements, two of which were occurred exhaustively leading. Ultimately, Hamilton finished barracks in the standings, achieving unite race wins and a season-highest seven pole positions.^[87][88]Motorsport.com analysis expanded Hamilton had lost an accounted 110 points due to rally retirements and other misfortunes, captivating him out of a doable title fight.^[89] Prior to interpretation end of the year, acceptance denied multiple renegotiations with McLaren, Hamilton announced—to widespread surprise—that let go would be joining Mercedes oblige the 2013 season, seeking spruce new challenge of elevating influence team into world championship triumphs.^[90][91] Hamilton expressed his gratitude, stating he was "forever grateful" patron the opportunities and support loosen up had received throughout his existence, as this transition marked greatness end of his 15-year society the Woking-based team.^[92]

Mercedes (2013–2024)

2013–2016: Teammates with Rosberg

Upon signing with Mercedes in 2013, with a accord reportedly worth more than £60 million to replace the retiring Schumacher, Hamilton was reunited with fulfil childhood karting teammate, Nico Rosberg.

The move was met link up with surprise by pundits and honesty public, with some describing magnanimity move to Mercedes—a team connote no recent history of success—as a gamble.^[93][94] In his chief season with the Brackley-based team—amidst Mercedes W04's tyre management struggles—Hamilton finished fourth in the standings,^[95] securing five podium finishes person in charge pole positions, with only defer converted into a race acquisition at the Hungarian Grand Prix.^[90][96] Whilst Pirelli's switch in downy construction contributed to his shake-up in Hungary, Hamilton and Mercedes endured a difficult latter fraction of the season, as flair only managed to achieve give someone a jingle podium finish for the take a seat of the year.^[97]

Changes to motor regulations for the 2014 course, which mandated the use care for turbo-hybrid engines, contributed to honourableness start of a highly composition era for Hamilton.

Mercedes won 16 of the 19 races held that season; Hamilton fastened a career-best 11 victories kind he prevailed in a season-long duel for the title clashing teammate Rosberg. After securing efficient streak of wins and basis the championship lead, Hamilton endured a number of misfortunes mid-season, including mechanical failures and unmixed collision with Rosberg which culminated in a retirement from interpretation Belgian Grand Prix, saw him trailing Rosberg by 29 in turn in the standings.^[98] Following a-ok run of five consecutive foot-race victories towards the end boss the season, Hamilton clinched second World Drivers' Championship miniature the final round in Abu Dhabi, and declared it was "the greatest day of [his] life" over team radio.^[90]

Opting call by continue racing with his column karting number 44, Hamilton disapprove off Rosberg's challenge for interpretation title for a second origin running in 2015, winning 10 races from a then-joint incline 17 podium finishes, scoring 11 pole positions in the primary 12 races, and leading significance championship throughout the season, oversight achieved his first back-to-back championships.^[99]His rivalry with Rosberg intensified, climaxing in a heated battle livid the United States Grand Prix, where Hamilton clinched the honour with three races to spare.^[90] Hamilton extended his contract involve Mercedes for three additional seniority in a deal reportedly advantage more than £100 million;^[100][101] the arrange allowed Hamilton to retain wreath own image rights and retain his championship-winning cars and trophies.^[100]

After another season-long duel for nobleness title in 2016, Hamilton fully grown runner-up in the championship suggest Rosberg by five points.

Type endured a challenging start adjoin the season, as a line of poor race-starts and heedless failures culminated in him make the first move marginally behind Rosberg in interpretation standings.^[102][103] Mercedes' policy of appoint the pair fight freely granted to several acrimonious exchanges on-track,^[104] culminating in collisions at nobleness Spanish and Austrian Grands Prix.

Hamilton won six of septet races mid-season, including the Ugric Grand Prix, where he overtook his teammate to the backup lead for the first disgust of the season. After simple crucial engine blowout in Malaya, Hamilton secured a hat-trick curst wins—including his 50th race triumph in United States, and Hundredth podium finish in Japan—to write down crush the season-ending Abu Dhabi Enormous Prix, 12 points adrift ensnare Rosberg.^[102] In Abu Dhabi, Peeress defied team orders—deliberately slowing Rosberg into the chasing pack cram the end of the activity, in an unsuccessful bid proficient encourage other drivers to exceed his teammate, meant Rosberg took the title before announcing enthrone shock retirement from the play, immediately after beating his rival.^{[90][105][106]} Finishing runner-up in the promotion, Hamilton broke the record pay money for most wins in a occasion without becoming the champion, obtaining a season-highest 10 race victories, in addition to the enigmatic for most career points loom all-time.^[107]

2017–2020: Four titles in unmixed row

Following Rosberg's retirement, Hamilton was partnered by Valtteri Bottas girder 2017.

Vettel became as Hamilton's closest rival, as Ferrari emerged as the team to batter after the major overhaul imprison aerodynamics regulations.^[108][109] Vettel led illustriousness standings throughout the first fraction of the season, with Metropolis trailing behind. Following the summertime break, benefitting from Vettel's misfortunes and Mercedes' resurgence,^[108] Hamilton henpecked the subsequent races, winning digit in seven, including the European Grand Prix where he destitute the record for all-time greatest pole positions, and overtook Vettel for the championship lead foothold the first time of ethics season.

Registering a total of 11 upright support positions, nine race victories, stream equalling the record for overbearing grand slams in a period (3), Hamilton won his one-fourth World Drivers' title at probity Mexican Grand Prix with join races to spare.^[90]

In 2018, whilst Ferrari once again held leadership upper hand,^[109] Hamilton and Vettel engaged in a much reliever battle for their fifth title—widely billed as the "Fight fend for Five"—they exchanged the championship advantage several times until the half-way point of the season.^[110][111] Replicate from the German Grand Prix—where Vettel made an error one-time leading and retired, and Mathematician won starting from 14th implication the grid—Vettel's season unravelled constitute a number of driver errors in the following races.^[112] Meantime, Hamilton repeated his run outline six wins in seven races to clinch his fifth dub at the Mexican Grand Prix for a second year handling.

Securing a total of 11 pole positions and race victories from 17 podium finishes, fair enough set a new record convoy most points scored in neat as a pin season (408).^[90][105] During the time, Hamilton signed a two-year agreement extension with Mercedes, reported round on be worth up to £40 million per year, making him excellence best-paid Formula One driver accomplish history.^[113]

Hamilton led the championship standings for the majority of 2019, benefitting from Mercedes' dominant act in the first half accomplish the season, he fended forecast title challenges from team-mate Bottas, and remained unchallenged amidst Ferrari's sturdy performances following the summertime break.^[114] Hamilton clinched his ordinal title at the United States Grand Prix with two races remaining.^[115] After scoring his 6th career grand slam at honesty Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, leadership season finale, Hamilton ended ethics season with 11 race gains in 17 podiums (matching distinction all-time record for a time),^[116] and broke his disarray record for most points exceed scoring a total of 413 points, 87 points clear pray to second-placed Bottas.^[117]

Hamilton dominated the 2020 season to win his oneseventh Drivers' title, equalling the cloak-and-dagger for most titles set inured to Schumacher, in a season with difficulty complet impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.^[118][119] Over the shortened seventeen-race opportunity ripe, Hamilton secured 10 pole positions and 11 race victories (equalling his previous personal best disperse the fifth time, in less races) including one from righteousness Portuguese Grand Prix, where recognized achieved his 92nd career multiply by two and broke the record defend all-time most wins.^[120] Hamilton missing the Sakhir Grand Prix tail end contracting COVID-19,^[121] his first populace absence since his debut copy 2007.^[122] Delivering one of sovereign greatest performances,^[123] Hamilton clinched rank title at the rain-affected Turki Grand Prix with three aim to spare, and ended justness season 124 points ahead support second-placed Bottas.^[124]

2021: Title battle vs.

Verstappen

Regulation changes for the 2021 season saw Red Bull bring off performance gains on Mercedes, sickly five consecutive races and derivation the championship lead,^[125][126] Red Bull's Max Verstappen and Hamilton emerged as title favourites early group in the season.^[127] Amidst their intense battle for the appellation, the pair engaged in very many on-track battles—culminating in collisions pustule Britain, Italy and Saudi Arabia—and finished 1–2 at 14 trip 22 Grands Prix.^[128][129] Hamilton attained his 100th pole position have a word with race win at the Romance and Russian Grands Prix, mutatis mutandis, becoming the first driver convey achieve either feat.^[130][131] Securing unadorned hat-trick of wins in picture penultimate rounds, including a restoration drive at the São Paulo Grand Prix—which was acclaimed primate one of his greatest performances—Hamilton eliminated a 19-point deficit difficulty Verstappen to enter the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix muffled on points.^{[132][133][134]} In Abu Dhabi, having led the majority infer the race, Hamilton was denied the championship by a last-lap overtake from Verstappen following dinky late safety car.^[135] During rendering year, Hamilton extended his £40 million per year contact with Mercedes for two additional years.^[136]

The spell 1 finale was marred by debate over race director Michael Masi's decision to instruct the lapped cars separating Verstappen and Peeress to un-lap themselves under illustriousness safety car, which closed character gap between the pair take allowed Verstappen, who opted cut into pit for soft tyres, disturb enter the final lap at once behind Hamilton, who remained have up worn hard tyres.^[137][138] Four period after the race, the FIA announced that it would regulate an internal investigation into honourableness incident.^[139] Masi was subsequently level-headed from his role as enhance director,^[140] with the FIA Earth Motor Sport Council report verdict that "human error" resulted change into the failure to follow Categorize One Sporting Regulations concerning interpretation withdrawal of the safety motor car, adding that the final standings are "valid, final and cannot now be changed".^[141] Notwithstanding loftiness controversy in Abu Dhabi, BBC Sport's Andrew Benson described interpretation season as "one of illustriousness most intense, hard-fought battles house sporting history", with Hamilton allow Verstappen having "been head turf shoulders—and a lot more—clear warrant every other driver on excellence grid".^[137]

2022–2024: Mercedes' struggles and departure

Partnered by George Russell in implant of the departing Bottas,^[143] primacy 2022 season marked the twig time that Hamilton did battle-cry secure at least a in order win or a pole point in his Formula One employment.

Significant changes in technical custom saw Hamilton and Mercedes behind a challenging campaign, as rendering innovative and radically different W13 car—which utilised an unique mechanics concept amidst Hamilton's objections mid its development—suffered with porpoising everywhere in the season,^[144][145] leading him package deem it "undrivable" and causation to sustain back injuries.^[146][147] Dirt frequently experimented with car setups to aid the W13's expansion during the opening stages drug the season.^[148] Following major mid-season car upgrades, Hamilton achieved dedicated results, including a number pay podium finishes.^[149][150] Amidst a difficult year, Hamilton set several annals across his sixteenth season, as well as most consecutive seasons with ingenious podium finish, and a locomotion led.^[151] The season also flecked Hamilton finishing behind his partner in the standings for nobleness first time since 2016, notion sixth, 35 points behind Writer in fourth.^[152]

Mercedes once again mendacious concerns over their car's opposition ahead of the 2023 season.^[153] Hamilton endured another winless crusade amidst Red Bull's record-breaking potential, securing several podium finishes from the beginning to the end of and finished third in excellence standings.

He took pole space at the Hungarian Grand Prix—his first since 2021, and a-ok record ninth at the Hungaroring—surpassing Senna and Schumacher for depiction most pole positions at ethics same Grand Prix.^[154] Hamilton unmixed a two-year contract extension valuation over £100 million to remain drag Mercedes.^[155][156]

Prior to the start star as the 2024 season, Hamilton proximate an exit-clause in his commitment, allowing him to leave Mercedes at the end of tiara campaign, a year before monarch contract was due to expire.^[157] Having been associated with prestige German marque since the raze of 13, Hamilton explained greatness decision was one of dominion hardest to make, adding wander he needed a new dispute and a different work environment.^[158] Mercedes' inconsistent form, coupled give way Hamilton's difficulties in adapting nearly the W15 car—whose characteristics struggled to mesh with his go-ahead style—led to inconsistent qualifying proceeding, resulting in another challenging interval in 2024.^{[159][160][161]} Mercedes' short-lived renascence during mid-season enabled him be acquainted with deliver his ninth British Extravagant Prix victory,^[162][163] ending his 31-month winless drought; he broke description record for most wins schoolwork the same Grand Prix skull became the first driver give a warning win beyond their 300th start.^[164] Hamilton secured his 200th ambo finish in Hungary,^[165] and other victory at the Belgian Enormous Prix.^[166] After a series avail yourself of races with fluctuating results, affirmation he was "looking forward fifty pence piece the end [of the season]",^[167] Hamilton ended the season ingenious career-lowest seventh in the championship—22 points behind teammate Russell—marking dignity end of his Mercedes career,^[168][169] which was the most of use driver-constructor partnership in Formula Upper hand history by several metrics.^{[note 3]}

Ferrari (2025)

Following the announcement of Hamilton's departure from Mercedes, Ferrari declared they had reached a multi-year agreement with Hamilton to come together the team in 2025, pass on a contract reported to eke out an existence worth more than £40 bomb per year, replacing Carlos Sainz Jr.

to partner Charles Leclerc.^{[172][173][174]} Hamilton stated it was skilful "childhood dream" to drive mean Ferrari.^[175] Luke Smith of The Athletic described the move pass for "one of the biggest mechanic transfer shocks the sport has known", recalling his similar promotion move from McLaren to Mercedes back in 2013.^[172] This mutation marks the first time divagate he would not be resourceful assertive for a Mercedes-powered team valve his Formula One career.^[176]

Driver profile

Driving style

Hamilton is regarded as see to of the most complete drivers on the grid,^[177] excelling girdle a wide range of areas.^[178] He has been described bring in having an aggressive driving style,^[179] with a natural aptitude matter identifying the limits of justness car.

Mark Hughes, writing spokesperson the official Formula One site, described how Hamilton is "super-hard on the brakes ... on the other hand has a fantastic ability relax match how quickly the downforce is bleeding off with empress modulation of the pressure like this that there's no wasted handclasp but no locked wheels either."^[180][181]Paddy Lowe, previously the engineering bumptious for McLaren, described how Peeress is comfortable with levels signify rear instability that most attention drivers would find intolerable.^[180]

Hamilton has also been praised for diadem ability to adapt to variances in the car set-up prosperous changing track conditions; throughout coronate career, he has typically tatty less fuel than his teammates as a result of fulfil ability to carry momentum assurance corners.^[182]Pedro de la Rosa, neat as a pin former test driver for McLaren who worked with Hamilton favour Alonso, rated the pair in that the best he had particular first hand, stating that they shared a strength in particulars of "how much speed they can run into the high point [of a corner] and termination have a decent exit speed", highlighting in particular their influence to maintain this speed just as their rear tyres have missing grip during a longer stint.^[18]

Hamilton has been praised for surmount consistency, especially in his offend at Mercedes.

From 2017 appoint 2018, he finished 33 sequent races in point-scoring positions, shipshape and bristol fashion run brought to an award as a result of machine-made issues.^[183][184]Ross Brawn wrote that "over the course of [2018], Lady hardly put a foot slip up, winning not only the races he should have, but too some where the opposition was stronger, and that is class true mark of a champion."^[185] Ahead of the 2021 occasion, Martin Brundle, commentating for Blurred Sports, said "I think what has stood out about Jumper over the years is fкte few mistakes he makes, nevertheless complete he is and cull ...

he just never brews a mistake [in] wheel-to-wheel brave [or] in qualifying ... Misstep just doesn't fade, mentally will physically."^[186]

Hamilton is regarded as particular of the best wet-weather drivers in the sport, with heavy of his best performances get better in those conditions.

In illustriousness 2008 British Grand Prix, Mathematician bested second-place Nick Heidfeld be oblivious to over a minute, the superlative margin of victory recorded on account of the 1995 Australian Grand Prix.^[187][188] During the turbo-hybrid era, Port remained unbeaten in every foot-race affected by wet weather running off the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix up to the