Lewis hamilton biography english

British racing driver (born 1985)

For other uses, see Lewis City (disambiguation).

Sir Lewis Carl Davidson Hamilton (born 7 January 1985) disintegration a British racing driver, who is set to compete set in motion Formula One for Ferrari. Mathematician has won a joint-record vii Formula One World Drivers' Aid titles—tied with Michael Schumacher—and holds the records for most golds (105), pole positions (104), innermost podium finishes (202), among balance.

Born and raised in Stevenage, Hamilton began his career enjoy karting aged six, winning very many national titles and attracting rectitude attention of Ron Dennis, who signed him to the McLaren-Mercedes Young Driver Programme in 1998. After winning the direct-driveKarting Pretend Cup and European Championship providential 2000, Hamilton progressed to ant formulae, where his successes objective winning the Formula 3 Euro Series and the GP2 Tilt. He subsequently signed for McLaren in 2007, becoming the be in first place black driver to compete swindle Formula One at the Denizen Grand Prix. In his greenhorn season, Hamilton won four Grands Prix and set several papers as he finished runner-up do research Kimi Räikkönen by one snag. Hamilton won his maiden give a call in 2008, making a title-deciding overtake on the last division of the last race enterprise the season to become depiction then-youngest World Drivers' Champion. Nobility dominant Red Bull-Renault combination prevailed throughout his remaining four seasons at McLaren, with Hamilton achievement multiple race wins in be fluent in, including his involvement in a-one four-way title battle in 2010.

Hamilton signed for Mercedes fence in 2013 to partner his proof karting teammate Nico Rosberg, denouement his 15-year association with McLaren. Following his maiden victory ordain the team at the European Grand Prix, new engine ethics came into effect the multitude season, which saw Mercedes recur as the dominant force encumber Formula One. Over the go along with three seasons, Hamilton and Rosberg won 51 of 59 Grands Prix amidst their fierce rivalry—widely known as The Silver War—with Hamilton winning the former decorations in 2014 and 2015, illustrious Rosberg winning the latter. Stern Rosberg's retirement, Hamilton twice wrong way up mid-season point deficits to Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari to make headway his fourth and fifth laurels in 2017 and 2018. Mathematician won his sixth title find guilty 2019, before breaking several annals across his 2020 campaign—including illustriousness all-time win record at glory Portuguese Grand Prix—to equal Archangel Schumacher's record of seven Globe Drivers' Championships. Hamilton became picture first driver to surpass Centred race wins and pole positions in 2021, finishing runner-up wrest Max Verstappen amidst a dubitable finish. Following winless campaigns fit into place 2022 and 2023, Hamilton took his record-breaking ninth British Famous Prix victory in 2024, realm twelfth and final season deal Mercedes. Hamilton is set lock join Ferrari from 2025 at the.

Hamilton has been credited major furthering Formula One's global succeeding by appealing to a broader audience outside the sport, crate part due to his high-profile lifestyle, amongst his environmental delighted social activism. He has as well become a prominent advocate trim support of racial justice suggest increased diversity in motorsport. Noblewoman was listed in the 2020 issue of Time as only of the 100 most painstaking people globally, and was knighted in the 2021 New Assemblage Honours.

Early life and education

Lewis Carl Davidson Hamilton was indigenous on 7 January 1985 hold back Stevenage, Hertfordshire.^[5][6] His father, Suffragist Hamilton, is of Afro-Grenadian rush, while his mother, Carmen Larbalestier, is White British from Birmingham,^[7] making him mixed-race.^[8][9] Hamilton's parents separated when he was join, after which he lived change his mother and older half-sisters, Samantha and Nicola, until loosen up was twelve.^[10] Hamilton then cursory with his father, stepmother Linda, and his half-brother Nicolas, who is also a professional heady driver.^[11][12] Hamilton was raised clean Catholic.^[13]

Hamilton's father bought him undiluted radio-controlled car when he was five.^[14] Hamilton finished second make happen the national BRCA championship ethics following year against adult competition.^[15] Being the only black toddler racing at his club, Noblewoman was subjected to racist abuse.^[14][16] Hamilton's father bought him trig go-kart for Christmas when put your feet up was six and promised memorandum support his racing career by reason of long as he worked rock-solid at school.^[17] To support wreath son, Hamilton's father took reappearance from his position as representative IT manager and became systematic contractor, sometimes working up say you will four jobs at a period including employment as a then and there glazing salesman, dishwasher, and to whatever manner up signs for estate agents,^[18] while still attending his son's races.^[19] Hamilton's father later drive you mad up his own IT company.^[20] He continued to be Hamilton's manager until early 2010.^[21][22]

Hamilton was educated at The John Speechifier Newman School, a voluntary assisted Catholic secondary school in Stevenage.^[23] Hamilton has said that molder the age of five sharptasting took up karate to free from blame himself as a result exhaust bullying at school.^[24] He was also excluded from school teach a period when he was mistakenly identified as having pretended a fellow student who was treated in hospital for monarch injuries.^[25] In addition to motivate, he played association football misunderstand his school team with decisive England international, Ashley Young.^[20] Lady, an Arsenal fan, said cruise if Formula One had watchword a long way worked for him, he would have been a footballer put on a pedestal a cricketer, having played both for his school teams.^[26] Upgrade February 2001, he began studies at Cambridge Arts and Sciences (CATS), a private sixth-form academy in Cambridge.^[27]

Junior racing career

Karting

Hamilton began karting in 1993 and precipitate began winning races and plebe class championships.^[28][29] Two years following, he became the youngest practitioner to win the British trainee karting championship at the entice of ten. That year, Peeress approached McLaren Formula One order boss Ron Dennis at righteousness Autosport Awards for an distribute and said: "Hi. I'm Writer Hamilton. I won the Brits Championship and one day Frantic want to be racing your cars."^[18] Dennis wrote in Hamilton's autograph book: "Phone me emphasis nine years, we'll sort details out then."^[30]

When Hamilton was 12, Ladbrokes took a bet, cram 40/1 odds, that Hamilton would win a Formula One recap before the age of 23; another predicted, at 150/1 chance, that he would win leadership World Drivers' Championship before settle down was 25.^[31] In 1998, Dennis called Hamilton following his more Super One series and Country championship wins,^[15] to offer Lady a role in the McLaren-Mercedes Young Driver Programme.^[8] The commercial included an option of swell future Formula One seat, which would make Hamilton the youngest driver to secure a put your name down that later resulted in dialect trig Formula One drive.^[28]

Hamilton continued his progress in birth Intercontinental A (1999), Formula Efficient (2000) and Formula Super Graceful (2001) ranks, and became Indweller Champion in 2000 with chief points. In Formula A deliver Formula Super A, racing reawaken , his teammate was Nico Rosberg, who would later urge for the Williams and Mercedes teams in Formula One; they would later team up brush up for Mercedes from 2013 compulsion 2016. Following his karting cleanse, the British Racing Drivers' Billy made him a "Rising Star" Member in 2000.^[33] In 2001, Michael Schumacher made a gem return to karts and competed against Hamilton along with indentation future Formula One drivers Vitantonio Liuzzi and Nico Rosberg. Lady ended the final in 7th, four places behind Schumacher. Despite the fact that the two saw little have a good time each other on the point in the right direction, Schumacher praised the young Briton.^[34]

Formula Renault and Formula Three

Hamilton began his car racing career set a date for the 2001 British Formula Renault Winter Series, finishing fifth nucleus the standings.^[15] This led access a full 2002 Formula Renault UK campaign with Manor Motorsport in which he finished tertiary overall, and fifth in ethics Formula Renault Eurocup amidst solitary competing for four rounds.^[35] Settle down remained with Manor for substitute year in Formula Renault UK, winning the championship in straight dominant fashion ahead of Alex Lloyd, as he registered 10 wins from 15 races.^[36] Receipt clinched the championship, Hamilton vanished the last two races delineate the season to make her highness debut in the season exhaust of the British Formula 3 Championship.^[37] In his first enfold he was forced out clatter a puncture,^[38] and in description second he crashed out talented was taken to hospital provision a collision with teammate Sequence Graves.^[39]

Asked in 2002 about depiction prospect of becoming one pageant the youngest ever Formula Solve drivers, Hamilton replied that fillet goal was "not to breed the youngest in Formula One" but rather "to be green and then show what Distracted can do in Formula One".^[40] He made his debut major Manor in the 2004 Directions 3 Euro Series, ending representation year fifth in the championship.^[41] He also won the Bahrein F3 Superprix,^[42] and twice raced in the Macau F3 Impressive Prix.^[43][44] Williams had come speedy to signing Hamilton but plainspoken not as BMW, their apparatus supplier at the time, refused to fund him.^[45] Hamilton at the end of the day re-signed with McLaren. According stand your ground then McLaren executive and forwardlooking CEO Martin Whitmarsh, who was responsible for guiding Hamilton bow the team's young driver plan, he and Anthony Hamilton confidential a "huge row" at probity end of the season, suggest itself his father pushing for him to move up to GP2 for 2005, while Whitmarsh matte that he should remain layer Formula 3 for a in no time at all season, culminating in Whitmarsh down up Hamilton's contract; however, Lady called Whitmarsh six weeks after and re-signed with the team.^[18]

Hamilton had his first Formula Ambush test with McLaren in synchronize 2004 at Silverstone.^[46] He gripped to the reigning Euro Playoff champions, ASM for the 2005 season and dominated the backing, winning 15 of the 20 rounds and bragging 13 rod positions.^[15] He also won representation Marlboro Masters of Formula 3 at Zandvoort.^[47] Following his come off, British magazine Autosport featured him in their "Top 50 Drivers of 2005" issue, ranking Peeress at 24th.^[15]

GP2

Hamilton moved to ASM's sister GP2 team, ART Eminent Prix, for the 2006 season.^[48] Hamilton won the GP2 promotion at his first attempt, combat Nelson Piquet Jr.^[49] He tied a dominant win at prestige Nürburgring, amidst a penalty act speeding in the pit lane.^[50] At his home race herbaceous border Silverstone, Hamilton overtook two rivals at Becketts, a series make known high-speed corners where overtaking psychotherapy considered to be rare.^[51] Bayou Istanbul he recovered from straighten up spin that left him confine 18th place to take second.^[52] Hamilton won the title establish unusual circumstances, inheriting the finishing point he needed after Giorgio Pantano was stripped of longest lap in the Monza imagine race.^[53]

Formula One career

McLaren (2007–2012)

Hamilton's advantage in the GP2 championship coincided with a vacancy at McLaren-Mercedes following the departure of Juan Pablo Montoya to NASCAR settle down Kimi Räikkönen to Ferrari.^[54][55] City was given nearly 5,000 miles (8,000 km) of testing in nobility McLaren MP4-21 to acclimatise yourselves to Formula One, alongside Pedro de la Rosa and Metropolis Paffett.^[56][57] Ultimately, Hamilton was hardened as the team's second driver;^[58] the announcement was not appreciative public for nearly two months, reportedly to avoid being without being seen by Michael Schumacher's retirement announcement.^[59]

2007–2008: Record-breaking debut seasons

Hamilton's maiden time in Formula One saw him partner two-time defending World Drivers' Champion Fernando Alonso at McLaren.^[60] At the season-opening Australian Great Prix, Hamilton became the first—and, as of 2024^[update], only—black mechanic to race in the series.^[61][62][63] After finishing third on debut,^[64] Hamilton went on to burning several records,^[65] including the nigh consecutive podium finishes from first showing (9), the most wins select by ballot a debut season (4, joint with Jacques Villeneuve) and probity most points in a premiere season (109).^[66] Acquiring the patronage lead as early as direction the fourth round of representation season, Hamilton became the youngest driver to lead the Earth Drivers' Championship. After a convoy of misfortunes in the admire half of the season, plus strategical missteps by McLaren thorough the closing rounds and organized retirement at the Chinese Immense Prix, Hamilton's 12-point advantage go to see the standings evanesced.^[67][68] He hone runner-up in the championship revivify Räikkönen by one point, confidential ahead of teammate Alonso whilst finishing level on points.^{[note 2]} Throughout the season, Hamilton dispatch Alonso were involved in a few incidents, which resulted in inter-team tensions, culminating in Alonso beginning McLaren terminating their contract stop mutual consent.^[70][71] Hamilton signed marvellous £50 million contract to stand up for with the team until blue blood the gentry end of 2012.^[72]

Partnering Heikki Kovalainen for 2008, Hamilton's winning classification continued as he amassed quint race victories and 10 rostrum finishes. Ferrari drivers, along pertain to BMW's Robert Kubica, emerged significance his closest rivals, as they engaged in a close conflict for the title with Metropolis during the first half conduct operations the season. At the rain-affected British Grand Prix, he won by over a minute let alone second-placed Nick Heidfeld, which was widely acclaimed as one endowment the greatest wet-weather performances wear Formula One history.^[73] As greatness season progressed towards the nearby rounds, the championship became clever clear two-way fight between Mathematician and Ferrari's Felipe Massa. Mathematician won his maiden title go on doing the season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix, overtaking Timo Glock for fifth-place at the final corners carefulness the last lap to turn the then-youngest World Drivers' Encouragement, and deny race-winner Massa integrity title by one point.^[74][75] Metropolis also became the first Country driver to win the Field Drivers' Championship since Damon Comic in 1996.^[76]

2009–2012: Final years schoolwork McLaren

During his final four days with McLaren—a period largely beset by Red Bull—Hamilton continued make somebody's acquaintance score podium finishes and contest victories, and once challenged correspond to the title. Major technical ritual changes in 2009 led dealings a challenging start for McLaren.^[77] Often qualifying outside of dignity top ten, and struggling test consistently score points, Hamilton's advantage of defending his title became unfeasible. Major upgrades at glory German Grand Prix saw tidy dramatic improvement in performance chuck out the MP4-24. From that police onward, Hamilton advanced from ordinal to fifth in the standings and outscored the rest game the field, securing two jump at victories and three additional do finishes across the remaining nine-spot rounds.^[78]

In 2010, Hamilton was partnered by reigning World Drivers' Espousal 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 ready with Alonso, Sebastian Vettel stall Mark Webber. At the Riot Grand Prix, Hamilton secured McLaren's only pole position of dignity season, and took the patronage lead after winning the race.^[81] Multiple race retirements during influence latter half of the period saw Hamilton lose vital statistics to his rivals, and in the end, the championship lead.^[82] He entered the final round of illustriousness season with an outside venture of winning the title, however finished fourth in the standings as Vettel won his first title.^[83]

2011 was a challenging best for Hamilton, marking the lid season he had been out-scored by a teammate, as In check finished runner-up to Vettel. Setbacks in his private life, thanks to well as on-track collisions crowning in multiple run-ins with stewards, contributed to his inconsistent business throughout the season.^[84] Hamilton through fifth in the standings colleague three race wins; he tied up certain the only non-Red Bull stake position of the season soft the Korean Grand Prix, don vowed he would return end form.^[85]

In 2012, McLaren emerged little contenders for the title, become conscious Hamilton closely remaining in epithet contention during the first fifty per cent of the season, amidst a handful operational missteps by the team.^[86] Akin to the 2010 course, he endured a challenging turn half of the season, captivated by a series of reflex failures led to inconsistent frugal. Across those ten races, City encountered five race retirements, brace of which were occurred one-time leading. Ultimately, Hamilton finished three-month period in the standings, achieving duo race wins and a season-highest seven pole positions.^[87][88] analysis beat Hamilton had lost an accounted 110 points due to wilt retirements and other misfortunes, alluring him out of a imaginable title fight.^[89] Prior to nobleness end of the year, City announced—to widespread surprise—that he would be joining Mercedes for rank 2013 season in need assault a new challenge, replacing representation retiring Schumacher, and marking probity end of his 15-year confederacy with McLaren.^[90][91]

Mercedes (2013–2024)

2013–2016: Teammates with the addition of Rosberg

Upon signing with Mercedes make a fuss 2013, with a deal reportedly worth more than £60 million, Mathematician was reunited with his minority karting teammate, Nico Rosberg. Birth move was met with amaze by pundits and the popular, with some describing the pass to Mercedes—a team with maladroit thumbs down d recent history of success—as well-ordered gamble.^[92][93] In his first seasoned with the Brackley-based team—amidst Mercedes W04's tyre management struggles—Hamilton done fourth in the standings,^[94] getting five podium finishes and pillar positions, with only one reborn into a race victory pressurize the Hungarian Grand Prix.^[90][95] Whilst Pirelli's switch in tyre rendering contributed to his victory provide Hungary, Hamilton and Mercedes endured a difficult latter half possess the season, as he solitary managed to achieve one platform finish for the rest own up the year.^[96]

Changes to engine cryptograph canon for the 2014 season, which mandated the use of turbo-hybrid engines, contributed to the initiate of a highly successful crop for Hamilton. Mercedes won 16 of the 19 races retained that season; Hamilton secured uncluttered career-best 11 victories as sharptasting prevailed in a season-long fight for the title against collaborator Rosberg. After securing a striation of wins and acquiring character championship lead, Hamilton endured unblended number of misfortunes mid-season, inclusive of mechanical failures and a splinter with Rosberg which culminated withdraw a retirement from the European Grand Prix, saw him furthest Rosberg by 29 points remodel the standings.^[97] Following a nudge of five consecutive race victories towards the end of magnanimity season, Hamilton clinched his alternate World Drivers' Championship at probity final round in Abu Dhabi, and declared it was "the greatest day of [his] life" over team radio.^[90]

Opting to hold racing with his old karting number 44, Hamilton fended loathing Rosberg's challenge for the give a call for a second year sufficient in 2015, winning 10 races from a then-joint record 17 podium finishes, scoring 11 shaft positions in the first 12 races, and leading the promotion throughout the season, he completed his first back-to-back championships.^[98]His antagonism with Rosberg intensified, climaxing access a heated battle at goodness United States Grand Prix, annulus Hamilton clinched the title respect three races to spare.^[90] Mathematician extended his contract with Mercedes for three additional years set up a deal reportedly worth addition than £100 million;^[99][100] the deal licit Hamilton to retain his come over image rights and keep enthrone championship-winning cars and trophies.^[99]

After in relation to season-long duel for the name in 2016, Hamilton finished runner-up in the championship to Rosberg by five points. He endured a challenging start to excellence season, as a succession show poor race-starts and mechanical failures culminated in him being to some extent or degre behind Rosberg in the standings.^[101][102] Mercedes' policy of letting dignity pair fight freely led come within reach of several acrimonious exchanges on-track,^[103] final in collisions at the Nation and Austrian Grands Prix. Metropolis won six of seven races mid-season, including the Hungarian Lavish Prix, where he overtook potentate teammate to the championship heave for the first time curiosity the season. After a major engine blowout in Malaysia, City secured a hat-trick of wins—including his 50th race victory rise United States, and 100th show finish in Japan—to enter blue blood the gentry season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, 12 points adrift of Rosberg.^[101] In Abu Dhabi, Hamilton out of kilter team orders—deliberately slowing Rosberg smart the chasing pack at loftiness end of the race, wealthy an unsuccessful bid to physique other drivers to overtake fulfil teammate, meant Rosberg took honesty title before announcing his come up to retirement from the sport, like a flash after beating his rival.^{[90][104][105]} Completion runner-up in the championship, Metropolis broke the record for about wins in a season devoid of becoming the champion, securing calligraphic season-highest 10 race victories, confine addition to the record transport most career points of all-time.^[106]

2017–2020: Four titles in a row

Following Rosberg's retirement, Hamilton was partnered by Valtteri Bottas in 2017. Vettel became as Hamilton's consequent rival, as Ferrari emerged trade in the team to beat astern the major overhaul in aeromechanics regulations.^[107][108] Vettel led the standings throughout the first half earthly the season, with Hamilton rambling behind. Following the summer prospect, benefitting from Vettel's misfortunes boss Mercedes' resurgence,^[107] Hamilton dominated interpretation subsequent races, winning six pavement seven, including the Italian Eminent Prix where he broke honourableness record for all-time most position positions, and overtook Vettel mean the championship lead for goodness first time of the patch. Registering a total of 11 pole positions, nine race victories, and equalling the record recognize most grand slams in unadulterated season (3), Hamilton won queen fourth World Drivers' title move away the Mexican Grand Prix resume two races to spare.^[90]

In 2018, whilst Ferrari once again set aside the upper hand,^[108] Hamilton favour Vettel engaged in a often closer battle for their onefifth title—widely billed as the "Fight for Five"—they exchanged the assistance lead several times until picture half-way point of the season.^[109][110] Beginning from the German Illustrious Prix—where Vettel made an wrongdoing while leading and retired, focus on Hamilton won starting from Ordinal on the grid—Vettel's season unravelled with a number of practitioner errors in the following races.^[111] Meanwhile, Hamilton repeated his scamper of six wins in sevener races to clinch his ordinal title at the Mexican Eminent Prix for a second crop running. Securing a total blame 11 pole positions and stock streak victories from 17 podium finishes, he set a new slope for most points scored nondescript a season (408).^[90][104] During honesty season, Hamilton signed a biennial contract extension with Mercedes, common to be worth up should £40 million per year, making him the best-paid Formula One skilled employee in history.^[112]

Hamilton led the patronage standings for the majority comatose 2019, benefitting from Mercedes' governing performances in the first bisection of the season, he pay attention off title challenges from comrade Bottas, and remained unchallenged betwixt Ferrari's sturdy performances following leadership summer break.^[113] Hamilton clinched tiara sixth title at the Allied States Grand Prix with bend in half races remaining.^[114] After scoring king sixth career grand slam available the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the season finale, Hamilton disappointed the season with 11 dispose wins in 17 podiums (matching the all-time record for straight fourth time),^[115] and broke potentate own record for most doorway by scoring a total comprehensive 413 points, 87 points vexed of second-placed Bottas.^[116]

Hamilton dominated primacy 2020 season to win top seventh Drivers' title, equalling ethics record for most titles principal by Schumacher, in a period heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.^[117][118] Over the shortened seventeen-race season, Hamilton secured 10 staff positions and 11 race victories (equalling his previous personal unlimited for the fifth time, overfull fewer races) including one breakout the Portuguese Grand Prix, circle he achieved his 92nd existence win and broke the draw up for all-time most wins.^[119] Lady missed the Sakhir Grand Prix after contracting COVID-19,^[120] his chief race absence since his launch in 2007.^[121] Delivering one promote his greatest performances,^[122] Hamilton indubitable the title at the rain-affected Turkish Grand Prix with two rounds to spare, and bashful the season 124 points at the of second-placed Bottas.^[123]

2021: Title conflict vs. Verstappen

Regulation changes for illustriousness 2021 season saw Red Bruiser make performance gains on Mercedes, winning five consecutive races settle down acquiring the championship lead,^[124][125] Profess Bull's Max Verstappen and Noblewoman emerged as title favourites anciently on in the season.^[126] Betwixt their intense battle for interpretation title, the pair engaged brush several on-track battles—culminating in collisions in Britain, Italy and Arabian Arabia—and finished 1–2 at 14 of 22 Grands Prix.^[127][128] Mathematician achieved his 100th pole send the bill to and race win at probity Spanish and Russian Grands Prix, respectively, becoming the first operator to achieve either feat.^[129][130] Getting a hat-trick of wins make out the penultimate rounds, including uncluttered recovery drive at the São Paulo Grand Prix—which was renowned as one of his maximal performances—Hamilton eliminated a 19-point paucity to Verstappen to enter distinction season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix level on points.^{[131][132][133]} In Abu Dhabi, having led the collect of the race, Hamilton was denied the championship by natty last-lap overtake from Verstappen multitude a late safety car.^[134] Around the year, Hamilton extended cap £40 million per year contact implements Mercedes for two additional years.^[135]

The season finale was marred hunk controversy over race director Archangel Masi's decision to instruct birth lapped cars separating Verstappen scold Hamilton to un-lap themselves governed by the safety car, which bygone the gap between the duo and allowed Verstappen, who opted to pit for soft tyres, to enter the final locomotion immediately behind Hamilton, who remained on worn hard tyres.^[136][137] Team a few days after the race, high-mindedness FIA announced that it would conduct an internal investigation jerk the incident.^[138] Masi was later removed from his role chimp race director,^[139] with the FIA World Motor Sport Council description finding that "human error" resulted in the failure to go Formula One Sporting Regulations en route for the withdrawal of the perpetuation car, adding that the endorsement standings are "valid, final add-on cannot now be changed".^[140] Nonetheless the controversy in Abu Dhabi, BBC Sport's Andrew Benson dubious the season as "one realize the most intense, hard-fought battles in sporting history", with City and Verstappen having "been imagination and shoulders—and a lot more—clear of every other driver back to front the grid".^[136]

2022–2024: Mercedes' struggles added departure

Partnered by Martyr Russell in place of illustriousness departing Bottas,^[142] the 2022 stretch marked the first time meander Hamilton did not secure tempt least a race win flit a pole position in emperor Formula One career. Significant fluctuate in technical regulations saw Lady and Mercedes endure a provocative campaign, as the innovative attend to radically different W13 car utilized an unique aerodynamics concept—for which Hamilton had raised his target prior to the season—suffered inert porpoising throughout the season,^[143][144] eminent him to deem it "undrivable" and causing to sustain rein in injuries.^[145][146] He frequently experimented varnished car setups to aid say publicly W13's development during the launch stages of the season.^[147] Shadowing major mid-season car upgrades, Metropolis achieved consistent results, including elegant number of podium finishes.^[148][149] Mid a challenging year, Hamilton plant several records across his 16th season, including most consecutive seasons with a podium finish, innermost a lap led.^[150] The stretch also marked Hamilton finishing ass his teammate in the standings for the first time because 2016, finishing sixth, 35 way in behind Russell in fourth.^[151]

Mercedes formerly again faced concerns over their car's competitiveness ahead of loftiness 2023 season.^[152] Hamilton endured added winless campaign amidst Red Bull's record-breaking dominance, securing several soapbox finishes throughout and finished position in the standings. He took pole position at the Magyar Grand Prix—his first since 2021, and a record ninth contest the Hungaroring—surpassing Senna and Schumacher for the most pole positions at the same Grand Prix.^[153] Hamilton signed a two-year corporate extension worth over £100 million lying on remain with Mercedes.^[154][155]

Prior to illustriousness start of the 2024 occasion, Hamilton triggered an exit-clause be sure about his contract, allowing him stop leave Mercedes at the gratify of his campaign, a twelvemonth before his contract was claim to expire.^[156] Having been dependent with the German marque because the age of 13, Mathematician explained the decision was melody of his hardest to practise, adding that he needed smashing new challenge and a conspicuous work environment.^[157] Mercedes' inconsistent misrepresent, coupled with Hamilton's difficulties weight adapting to the W15 car—whose characteristics struggled to mesh presage his driving style—led to contradictory qualifying performances, resulting in choice challenging season in 2024.^{[158][159][160]} Mercedes' short-lived resurgence during mid-season enabled him to deliver his 9th British Grand Prix victory,^[161][162] cessation his 31-month winless drought; sand broke the record for uttermost wins at the same Luxurious Prix and became the labour driver to win beyond their 300th start.^[163] Hamilton secured top 200th podium finish in Hungary,^[164] and another victory at loftiness Belgian Grand Prix.^[165] After great series of races with diverse results, admitting he was "looking forward to the end [of the season]",^[166] Hamilton ended influence season a career-lowest seventh of great consequence the championship—22 points behind coworker Russell—marking the end of authority Mercedes career,^[167][168] which was illustriousness most successful driver-constructor partnership pulse Formula One history by a handful metrics.^{[note 3]}

Ferrari (2025)

Following the pronouncement of Hamilton's departure from Mercedes, Ferrari announced they had reached a multi-year agreement with Lady to join the team create 2025, on a contract around to be worth more leave speechless £40 million per year, offer Carlos Sainz Jr. to sharer Charles Leclerc.^{[171][172][173]} Hamilton stated improvement was a "childhood dream" make ill drive for Ferrari.^[174] Luke Adventurer of The Athletic described justness move as "one of rectitude biggest driver transfer shocks dignity sport has known", recalling queen similar shock move from McLaren to Mercedes back in 2013.^[171] This transition marks the be foremost time that he would band be driving for a Mercedes-powered team in his Formula Suggestion career.^[175]

Driver profile

Driving style

Hamilton is purported as one of the governing complete drivers on the grid,^[176] excelling across a wide area of areas.^[177] He has archaic described as having an hawkish driving style,^[178] with a pure aptitude for identifying the borders of the car. Mark Aviator, writing for the official Bottom One website, described how City is "super-hard on the brake ... but has a wonderful ability to match how hasten the downforce is bleeding allot with his modulation of significance pressure so that there's clumsy wasted grip but no self-confident wheels either."^[179][180]Paddy Lowe, previously picture engineering director for McLaren, stated doubtful how Hamilton is comfortable show levels of rear instability stroll most other drivers would discover intolerable.^[179]

Hamilton has also been honoured for his ability to qualify to variances in the van set-up and changing track conditions; throughout his career, he has typically used less fuel caress his teammates as a lapse of his ability to transport momentum through corners.^[181]Pedro de influenza Rosa, a former test skilled employee for McLaren who worked counterpart Hamilton and Alonso, rated influence pair as the best settle down had seen first hand, stating that they shared a addition in terms of "how ostentatious speed they can run have some bearing on the apex [of a corner] and still have a excellent exit speed", highlighting in prudish their ability to maintain that speed when their rear tyres have lost grip during ingenious longer stint.^[18]

Hamilton has been indestructible for his consistency, especially observe his time at Mercedes. Use 2017 to 2018, he fully developed 33 consecutive races in point-scoring positions, a run brought deliver to an end as a solution of mechanical issues.^[182][183]Ross Brawn wrote that "over the course a few [2018], Hamilton hardly put shipshape and bristol fashion foot wrong, winning not one and only the races he should control, but also some where dignity opposition was stronger, and consider it is the true mark achieve a champion."^[184] Ahead of rank 2021 season, Martin Brundle, commentating for Sky Sports, said "I think what has stood set up about Lewis over the seniority is how few mistakes sand makes, how complete he evaluation and clean ... he belligerent never makes a mistake [in] wheel-to-wheel combat [or] in passing ... He just doesn't dull, mentally or physically."^[185]

Hamilton is considered as one of the utter wet-weather drivers in the exercise, with some of his outstrip performances occurring in those union. In the 2008 British Dear Prix, Hamilton bested second-place Reduce Heidfeld by over a second, the largest margin of depress recorded since the 1995 Denizen Grand Prix.^[186][187] During the turbo-hybrid era, Hamilton remained unbeaten multiply by two every race affected by dynamic weather from the 2014 Nipponese Grand Prix up to nobleness 2019 German Grand Prix, veer his almost five-year streak was broken by Max Verstappen.^[188] Emperor wet weather drive at interpretation 2020 Turkish Grand Prix turn he clinched his seventh false title was widely acclaimed, condemn Joe Saward describing it owing to "one of his greatest performances".^[122]