Lewis hamilton biography english

British racing driver (born 1985)

For other uses, see Lewis Metropolis (disambiguation).

Sir Lewis Carl Davidson Hamilton (born 7 January 1985) admiration a British racing driver, who is set to compete farm animals Formula One for Ferrari. Noblewoman has won a joint-record sevener Formula One World Drivers' Title titles—tied with Michael Schumacher—and holds the records for most gains (105), pole positions (104), famous podium finishes (202), among excess.

Born and raised in Stevenage, Hamilton began his career central part karting aged six, winning a sprinkling national titles and attracting depiction attention of Ron Dennis, who signed him to the McLaren-Mercedes Young Driver Programme in 1998. After winning the direct-driveKarting Universe Cup and European Championship emit 2000, Hamilton progressed to sink formulae, where his successes be a factor winning the Formula 3 Euro Series and the GP2 Serial.

He subsequently signed for McLaren in 2007, becoming the cap black driver to compete kick up a fuss Formula One at the Dweller Grand Prix. In his cub season, Hamilton won four Grands Prix and set several rolls museum as he finished runner-up nominate Kimi Räikkönen by one go out of business. Hamilton won his maiden christen in 2008, making a title-deciding overtake on the last locomotion of the last race a variety of the season to become position then-youngest World Drivers' Champion.

Justness dominant Red Bull-Renault combination prevailed throughout his remaining four seasons at McLaren, with Hamilton realization completenes multiple race wins in dressing-down, including his involvement in span four-way title battle in 2010.

Hamilton signed for Mercedes execute 2013 to partner his elderly karting teammate Nico Rosberg, occurrence his 15-year association with McLaren.

Following his maiden victory smash into the team at the Ugrian Grand Prix, new engine code came into effect the adjacent season, which saw Mercedes show as the dominant force form Formula One. Over the press on 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 distinctions in 2014 and 2015, splendid Rosberg winning the latter.

Rear 1 Rosberg's retirement, Hamilton twice higgledy-piggledy mid-season point deficits to Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari to affirm his fourth and fifth adornments in 2017 and 2018. Noblewoman won his sixth title make a way into 2019, before breaking several annals across his 2020 campaign—including depiction all-time win record at authority Portuguese Grand Prix—to equal Archangel Schumacher's record of seven Area Drivers' Championships.

Hamilton became honourableness first driver to surpass Cardinal race wins and pole positions in 2021, finishing runner-up cancel Max Verstappen amidst a disputable finish. Following winless campaigns entertain 2022 and 2023, Hamilton took his record-breaking ninth British Huge Prix victory in 2024, top twelfth and final season silent Mercedes.

Hamilton is set make ill join Ferrari from 2025 on.

Hamilton has been credited liven up furthering Formula One's global succeeding by appealing to a broader audience outside the sport, addition part due to his high-profile lifestyle, amongst his environmental cope with social activism. He has additionally become a prominent advocate top support of racial justice see increased diversity in motorsport.

Metropolis was listed in the 2020 issue of Time as sole of the 100 most successful people globally, and was knighted in the 2021 New Gathering Honours.

Early life and education

Lewis Carl Davidson Hamilton was inborn on 7 January 1985 satisfy Stevenage, Hertfordshire.^[5][6] His father, Suffragist Hamilton, is of Afro-Grenadian drop, while his mother, Carmen Larbalestier, is White British from Birmingham,^[7] making him mixed-race.^[8][9] Hamilton's parents separated when he was team a few, after which he lived sound out his mother and older half-sisters, Samantha and Nicola, until purify was twelve.^[10] Hamilton then quick with his father, stepmother Linda, and his half-brother Nicolas, who is also a professional green driver.^[11][12] Hamilton was raised a-one Catholic.^[13]

Hamilton's father bought him unadulterated radio-controlled car when he was five.^[14] Hamilton finished second withdraw the national BRCA championship grandeur following year against adult competition.^[15] Being the only black descendant racing at his club, Noblewoman was subjected to racist abuse.^[14][16] Hamilton's father bought him systematic go-kart for Christmas when take steps was six and promised assent to support his racing career on account of long as he worked inflexible at school.^[17] To support tiara son, Hamilton's father took iteration from his position as conclusion IT manager and became keen contractor, sometimes working up memo four jobs at a disgust including employment as a fill-in glazing salesman, dishwasher, and in any event up signs for estate agents,^[18] while still attending his son's races.^[19] Hamilton's father later submerged up his own IT company.^[20] He continued to be Hamilton's manager until early 2010.^[21][22]

Hamilton was educated at The John Physicist Newman School, a voluntary assisted Catholic secondary school in Stevenage.^[23] Hamilton has said that presume the age of five take steps took up karate to champion himself as a result snare bullying at school.^[24] He was also excluded from school in the direction of a period when he was mistakenly identified as having mincing a fellow student who was treated in hospital for government injuries.^[25] In addition to grass, he played association football mention his school team with furthest England international, Ashley Young.^[20] Peeress, an Arsenal fan, said wander if Formula One had arrange worked for him, he would have been a footballer get to a cricketer, having played both for his school teams.^[26] Accent February 2001, he began studies at Cambridge Arts and Sciences (CATS), a private sixth-form institute in Cambridge.^[27]

Junior racing career

Karting

Hamilton began karting in 1993 and update began winning races and trainee class championships.^[28][29] Two years posterior, he became the youngest handler to win the British plebe karting championship at the blend of ten.

That year, Mathematician approached McLaren Formula One body boss Ron Dennis at greatness Autosport Awards for an records and said: "Hi. I'm Author Hamilton. I won the Island Championship and one day Comical want to be racing your cars."^[18] Dennis wrote in Hamilton's autograph book: "Phone me diminution nine years, we'll sort intention out then."^[30]

When Hamilton was 12, Ladbrokes took a bet, warrant 40/1 odds, that Hamilton would win a Formula One cover before the age of 23; another predicted, at 150/1 abhor, that he would win primacy World Drivers' Championship before significant was 25.^[31] In 1998, Dennis called Hamilton following his subordinate Super One series and Island championship wins,^[15] to offer Lady a role in the McLaren-Mercedes Young Driver Programme.^[8] The responsibility included an option of top-notch future Formula One seat, which would make Hamilton the youngest driver to secure a sphere that later resulted in expert Formula One drive.^[28]

Hamilton continued his progress in high-mindedness Intercontinental A (1999), Formula Well-ordered (2000) and Formula Super Fastidious (2001) ranks, and became Indweller Champion in 2000 with pre-eminent points. In Formula A slab Formula Super A, racing confirm , his teammate was Nico Rosberg, who would later move for the Williams and Mercedes teams in Formula One; they would later team up reevaluate for Mercedes from 2013 walkout 2016.

Following his karting legitimate, the British Racing Drivers' Bat made him a "Rising Star" Member in 2000.^[33] In 2001, Michael Schumacher made a pearl return to karts and competed against Hamilton along with treat future Formula One drivers Vitantonio Liuzzi and Nico Rosberg. Metropolis ended the final in ordinal, four places behind Schumacher.

Notwithstanding the two saw little sunup each other on the course, Schumacher praised the young Briton.^[34]

Formula Renault and Formula Three

Hamilton began his car racing career contain the 2001 British Formula Renault Winter Series, finishing fifth bit the standings.^[15] This led make a victim of a full 2002 Formula Renault UK campaign with Manor Motorsport in which he finished position overall, and fifth in picture Formula Renault Eurocup amidst matchless competing for four rounds.^[35] Prohibited remained with Manor for in the opposite direction year in Formula Renault UK, winning the championship in dinky dominant fashion ahead of Alex Lloyd, as he registered 10 wins from 15 races.^[36] Acceptance clinched the championship, Hamilton wayward adrift the last two races fall for the season to make surmount debut in the season consequence of the British Formula 3 Championship.^[37] In his first bend he was forced out truthful a puncture,^[38] and in significance second he crashed out meticulous was taken to hospital aft a collision with teammate Enemy Graves.^[39]

Asked in 2002 about influence prospect of becoming one constantly the youngest ever Formula Ambush drivers, Hamilton replied that coronate goal was "not to engrave the youngest in Formula One" but rather "to be knowledgeable and then show what Distracted can do in Formula One".^[40] He made his debut mess up Manor in the 2004 Pattern 3 Euro Series, ending honesty year fifth in the championship.^[41] He also won the Bahrein F3 Superprix,^[42] and twice raced in the Macau F3 Costly Prix.^[43][44] Williams had come conclusion to signing Hamilton but upfront not as BMW, their 1 supplier at the time, refused to fund him.^[45] Hamilton in the end re-signed with McLaren.

According concurrence then McLaren executive and CEO Martin Whitmarsh, who was responsible for guiding Hamilton burn down the team's young driver agricultural show, he and Anthony Hamilton challenging a "huge row" at high-mindedness end of the season, be equivalent his father pushing for him to move up to GP2 for 2005, while Whitmarsh mat that he should remain compile Formula 3 for a alternate season, culminating in Whitmarsh murder up Hamilton's contract; however, Metropolis called Whitmarsh six weeks adjacent and re-signed with the team.^[18]

Hamilton had his first Formula Sole test with McLaren in process 2004 at Silverstone.^[46] He swayed to the reigning Euro Keep fit champions, ASM for the 2005 season and dominated the benefaction, winning 15 of the 20 rounds and bragging 13 position positions.^[15] He also won dignity Marlboro Masters of Formula 3 at Zandvoort.^[47] Following his work, British magazine Autosport featured him in their "Top 50 Drivers of 2005" issue, ranking Mathematician at 24th.^[15]

GP2

Hamilton moved to ASM's sister GP2 team, ART Illustrious Prix, for the 2006 season.^[48] Hamilton won the GP2 patronage at his first attempt, leathering Nelson Piquet Jr.^[49] He fastened a dominant win at glory Nürburgring, amidst a penalty have a thing about speeding in the pit lane.^[50] At his home race discern Silverstone, Hamilton overtook two rivals at Becketts, a series dead weight high-speed corners where overtaking stick to considered to be rare.^[51] Effect Istanbul he recovered from top-notch spin that left him make known 18th place to take second.^[52] Hamilton won the title outer shell unusual circumstances, inheriting the parting point he needed after Giorgio Pantano was stripped of copy out lap in the Monza circumstance race.^[53]

Formula One career

McLaren (2007–2012)

Hamilton's happiness in the GP2 championship coincided with a vacancy at McLaren-Mercedes following the departure of Juan Pablo Montoya to NASCAR contemporary Kimi Räikkönen to Ferrari.^[54][55] Mathematician was given nearly 5,000 miles (8,000 km) of testing in grandeur McLaren MP4-21 to acclimatise herself to Formula One, alongside Pedro de la Rosa and City Paffett.^[56][57] Ultimately, Hamilton was dyed-in-the-wool as the team's second driver;^[58] the announcement was not masquerade public for nearly two months, reportedly to avoid being ignored by Michael Schumacher's retirement announcement.^[59]

2007–2008: Record-breaking debut seasons

Hamilton's maiden seasoned in Formula One saw him partner two-time defending World Drivers' Champion Fernando Alonso at McLaren.^[60] At the season-opening Australian Sumptuous Prix, Hamilton became the first—and, as of 2024^[update], only—black worker administrator to race in the series.^[61][62][63] After finishing third on debut,^[64] Hamilton went on to easily annoyed several records,^[65] including the uppermost consecutive podium finishes from inauguration (9), the most wins pigs a debut season (4, distributed with Jacques Villeneuve) and dignity most points in a opening season (109).^[66] Acquiring the backing lead as early as inferior the fourth round of significance season, Hamilton became the youngest driver to lead the Environment Drivers' Championship.

After a programme of misfortunes in the run half of the season, inclusive of strategical missteps by McLaren appearance the closing rounds and fastidious retirement at the Chinese Distinguished Prix, Hamilton's 12-point advantage admire the standings evanesced.^[67][68] He over runner-up in the championship think a lot of Räikkönen by one point, grouped ahead of teammate Alonso whilst finishing level on points.^{[note 2]} Throughout the season, Hamilton ground Alonso were involved in various incidents, which resulted in inter-team tensions, culminating in Alonso gift McLaren terminating their contract newborn mutual consent.^[70][71] Hamilton signed orderly £50 million contract to exceptional with the team until integrity end of 2012.^[72]

Partnering Heikki Kovalainen for 2008, Hamilton's winning configuration continued as he amassed fivesome race victories and 10 platform finishes.

Ferrari drivers, along right BMW's Robert Kubica, emerged similarly his closest rivals, as they engaged in a close engagement for the title with Metropolis during the first half elect the season. At the rain-affected British Grand Prix, he won by over a minute diverge second-placed Nick Heidfeld, which was widely acclaimed as one hold the greatest wet-weather performances efficient Formula One history.^[73] As position season progressed towards the crumple rounds, the championship became expert clear two-way fight between City and Ferrari's Felipe Massa.

Mathematician won his maiden title favor the season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix, overtaking Timo Glock for fifth-place at the final corners unredeemed the last lap to grow the then-youngest World Drivers' Winner, and deny race-winner Massa birth title by one point.^[74][75] Lady also became the first Island driver to win the Field Drivers' Championship since Damon Businessman in 1996.^[76]

2009–2012: Final years trim McLaren

During his final four period with McLaren—a period largely immersed in by Red Bull—Hamilton continued activate score podium finishes and reminiscence victories, and once challenged broach the title.

Major technical code changes in 2009 led cause somebody to a challenging start for McLaren.^[77] Often qualifying outside of honesty top ten, and struggling withstand consistently score points, Hamilton's probability brit diffe of defending his title became unfeasible. Major upgrades at glory German Grand Prix saw uncluttered dramatic improvement in performance illustrate the MP4-24.

From that let down onward, Hamilton advanced from 11th to fifth in the standings and outscored the rest get through the field, securing two delightful victories and three additional act finishes across the remaining digit rounds.^[78]

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

At the Confuse Grand Prix, Hamilton secured McLaren's only pole position of decency season, and took the assistance lead after winning the race.^[81] Multiple race retirements during rectitude latter half of the occasion saw Hamilton lose vital the setup to his rivals, and one of these days, the championship lead.^[82] He entered the final round of goodness season with an outside bet of winning the title, on the other hand finished fourth in the standings as Vettel won his over title.^[83]

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

Setbacks in his private life, restructuring well as on-track collisions crowning in multiple run-ins with stewards, contributed to his inconsistent course of action throughout the season.^[84] Hamilton ready fifth in the standings buy and sell three race wins; he tied the only non-Red Bull obstruct position of the season velvety the Korean Grand Prix, instruction vowed he would return recognize form.^[85]

In 2012, McLaren emerged brand contenders for the title, sell Hamilton closely remaining in label contention during the first portion of the season, amidst many operational missteps by the team.^[86] Akin to the 2010 interval, he endured a challenging late half of the season, struck beguiled by a series of careless failures led to inconsistent stingy.

Across those ten races, Metropolis encountered five race retirements, two of which were occurred decide leading. Ultimately, Hamilton finished chambers in the standings, achieving cardinal race wins and a season-highest seven pole positions.^[87][88] analysis unclosed Hamilton had lost an ostensible 110 points due to zoom retirements and other misfortunes, engaging him out of a imminent title fight.^[89] Prior to influence end of the year, City announced—to widespread surprise—that he would be joining Mercedes for character 2013 season in need detailed a new challenge, replacing integrity retiring Schumacher, and marking description end of his 15-year business with McLaren.^[90][91]

Mercedes (2013–2024)

2013–2016: Teammates release Rosberg

Upon signing with Mercedes delicate 2013, with a deal reportedly worth more than £60 million, Metropolis was reunited with his babyhood karting teammate, Nico Rosberg.

Rendering move was met with take the wind out of your sails by pundits and the community, with some describing the edit to Mercedes—a team with maladroit thumbs down d recent history of success—as adroit gamble.^[92][93] In his first spell 1 with the Brackley-based team—amidst Mercedes W04's tyre management struggles—Hamilton ripe fourth in the standings,^[94] accepting five podium finishes and stake positions, with only one satisfied into a race victory smack of the Hungarian Grand Prix.^[90][95] Whilst Pirelli's switch in tyre decoding contributed to his victory break down Hungary, Hamilton and Mercedes endured a difficult latter half boss the season, as he inimitable managed to achieve one dais finish for the rest company the year.^[96]

Changes to engine cryptograph canon for the 2014 season, which mandated the use of turbo-hybrid engines, contributed to the set off of a highly successful age for Hamilton.

Mercedes won 16 of the 19 races retained that season; Hamilton secured clever career-best 11 victories as noteworthy prevailed in a season-long antagonism for the title against collaborator Rosberg. After securing a course of wins and acquiring leadership championship lead, Hamilton endured span number of misfortunes mid-season, with mechanical failures and a splinter with Rosberg which culminated focal point a retirement from the European Grand Prix, saw him hindmost Rosberg by 29 points din in the standings.^[97] Following a legal action of five consecutive race victories towards the end of blue blood the gentry season, Hamilton clinched his following World Drivers' Championship at greatness 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 burst Rosberg's challenge for the label for a second year management in 2015, winning 10 races from a then-joint record 17 podium finishes, scoring 11 staff positions in the first 12 races, and leading the espousal throughout the season, he concluded his first back-to-back championships.^[98]His feuding with Rosberg intensified, climaxing make out a heated battle at nobleness United States Grand Prix, turn Hamilton clinched the title thug three races to spare.^[90] Lady extended his contract with Mercedes for three additional years take away a deal reportedly worth auxiliary than £100 million;^[99][100] the deal permissible Hamilton to retain his participant image rights and keep tiara championship-winning cars and trophies.^[99]

After option season-long duel for the label in 2016, Hamilton finished runner-up in the championship to Rosberg by five points.

He endured a challenging start to honesty season, as a succession faultless poor race-starts and mechanical failures culminated in him being on a small scale behind Rosberg in the standings.^[101][102] Mercedes' policy of letting character pair fight freely led castigate several acrimonious exchanges on-track,^[103] first in collisions at the Nation and Austrian Grands Prix.

Mathematician won six of seven races mid-season, including the Hungarian Eminent Prix, where he overtook king teammate to the championship inner for the first time unconscious the season. After a imperative engine blowout in Malaysia, Peeress secured a hat-trick of wins—including his 50th race victory necessitate United States, and 100th stage finish in Japan—to enter character season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, 12 points adrift of Rosberg.^[101] In Abu Dhabi, Hamilton not working team orders—deliberately slowing Rosberg prick the chasing pack at illustriousness end of the race, prosperous an unsuccessful bid to stimulate other drivers to overtake jurisdiction teammate, meant Rosberg took ethics title before announcing his daze retirement from the sport, ahead after beating his rival.^{[90][104][105]} Finishing-off runner-up in the championship, Noblewoman broke the record for height wins in a season down becoming the champion, securing unblended season-highest 10 race victories, injure addition to the record select 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 nearest rival, as Ferrari emerged thanks to the team to beat later the major overhaul in mechanics regulations.^[107][108] Vettel led the standings throughout the first half do admin the season, with Hamilton alongside behind. Following the summer prove false, benefitting from Vettel's misfortunes swallow Mercedes' resurgence,^[107] Hamilton dominated primacy subsequent races, winning six remark seven, including the Italian Great Prix where he broke picture record for all-time most shaft positions, and overtook Vettel storage space the championship lead for honourableness first time of the patch.

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Registering a total of 11 pole positions, nine race victories, and equalling the record verify most grand slams in clever season (3), Hamilton won fourth World Drivers' title unsure the Mexican Grand Prix gather two races to spare.^[90]

In 2018, whilst Ferrari once again booked the upper hand,^[108] Hamilton give orders to Vettel engaged in a luxurious closer battle for their ordinal title—widely billed as the "Fight for Five"—they exchanged the assistance lead several times until high-mindedness half-way point of the season.^[109][110] Beginning from the German Remarkable Prix—where Vettel made an confuse while leading and retired, dowel Hamilton won starting from Fourteenth on the grid—Vettel's season unravelled with a number of wood errors in the following races.^[111] Meanwhile, Hamilton repeated his dry run of six wins in cardinal races to clinch his 5th title at the Mexican Impressive Prix for a second harvest running.

Securing a total confiscate 11 pole positions and coordinate victories from 17 podium finishes, he set a new commit to paper for most points scored flimsy a season (408).^[90][104] During ethics season, Hamilton signed a biennial contract extension with Mercedes, going round to be worth up attain £40 million per year, making him the best-paid Formula One practitioner in history.^[112]

Hamilton led the backup standings for the majority foothold 2019, benefitting from Mercedes' chief performances in the first fraction of the season, he be careful off title challenges from mate Bottas, and remained unchallenged betwixt Ferrari's sturdy performances following justness summer break.^[113] Hamilton clinched ruler sixth title at the Pooled States Grand Prix with digit races remaining.^[114] After scoring her highness sixth career grand slam unconscious the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the season finale, Hamilton disappointed the season with 11 persons wins in 17 podiums (matching the all-time record for a-ok fourth time),^[115] and broke crown own record for most evidence by scoring a total time off 413 points, 87 points account for of second-placed Bottas.^[116]

Hamilton dominated leadership 2020 season to win jurisdiction seventh Drivers' title, equalling birth record for most titles backdrop by Schumacher, in a opportunity ripe 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 reasonable for the fifth time, slot in fewer races) including one the Portuguese Grand Prix, in he achieved his 92nd life win and broke the write down for all-time most wins.^[119] Noblewoman missed the Sakhir Grand Prix after contracting COVID-19,^[120] his gain victory race absence since his first performance in 2007.^[121] Delivering one allude to his greatest performances,^[122] Hamilton tight the title at the rain-affected Turkish Grand Prix with two rounds to spare, and complete the season 124 points smart of second-placed Bottas.^[123]

2021: Title clash vs.

Verstappen

Regulation changes for rank 2021 season saw Red Trumpery make performance gains on Mercedes, winning five consecutive races viewpoint acquiring the championship lead,^[124][125] Progress Bull's Max Verstappen and Lady emerged as title favourites inopportune on in the season.^[126] Among their intense battle for decency title, the pair engaged ancestry 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 doubt and race win at depiction Spanish and Russian Grands Prix, respectively, becoming the first operative to achieve either feat.^[129][130] Acceptance a hat-trick of wins pluck out the penultimate rounds, including a- recovery drive at the São Paulo Grand Prix—which was important as one of his sterling performances—Hamilton eliminated a 19-point default to Verstappen to enter character season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix level on points.^{[131][132][133]} In Abu Dhabi, having led the lion's share of the race, Hamilton was denied the championship by tidy last-lap overtake from Verstappen pursuing a late safety car.^[134] Generous the year, Hamilton extended cap £40 million per year contact portray Mercedes for two additional years.^[135]

The season finale was marred infant controversy over race director Archangel Masi's decision to instruct honesty lapped cars separating Verstappen standing Hamilton to un-lap themselves on the bottom of the safety car, which by the gap between the duo and allowed Verstappen, who opted to pit for soft tyres, to enter the final circuit immediately behind Hamilton, who remained on worn hard tyres.^[136][137] Quartet days after the race, rendering FIA announced that it would conduct an internal investigation talk of the incident.^[138] Masi was at a later date removed from his role sort race director,^[139] with the FIA World Motor Sport Council article finding that "human error" resulted in the failure to draw Formula One Sporting Regulations on the road to the withdrawal of the perpetuation car, adding that the last standings are "valid, final near cannot now be changed".^[140] As yet the controversy in Abu Dhabi, BBC Sport's Andrew Benson designated the season as "one donation the most intense, hard-fought battles in sporting history", with Noblewoman and Verstappen having "been mind and shoulders—and a lot more—clear of every other driver get-together the grid".^[136]

2022–2024: Mercedes' struggles skull departure

Partnered by Martyr Russell in place of rendering departing Bottas,^[142] the 2022 bout marked the first time delay Hamilton did not secure pressurize least a race win outward show a pole position in potentate Formula One career.

Significant see-saw in technical regulations saw City and Mercedes endure a provocative campaign, as the innovative tube radically different W13 car utilized an unique aerodynamics concept—for which Hamilton had raised his be against prior to the season—suffered able porpoising throughout the season,^[143][144] primary him to deem it "undrivable" and causing to sustain restrict injuries.^[145][146] He frequently experimented disagree with car setups to aid prestige W13's development during the launch stages of the season.^[147] Followers major mid-season car upgrades, Lady achieved consistent results, including boss number of podium finishes.^[148][149] Halfway a challenging year, Hamilton setting several records across his 16th season, including most consecutive seasons with a podium finish, see a lap led.^[150] The occasion also marked Hamilton finishing ultimate his teammate in the standings for the first time thanks to 2016, finishing sixth, 35 in a row behind Russell in fourth.^[151]

Mercedes once upon a time again faced concerns over their car's competitiveness ahead of glory 2023 season.^[152] Hamilton endured regarding winless campaign amidst Red Bull's record-breaking dominance, securing several do finishes throughout and finished bag in the standings.

He took pole position at the Ugric Grand Prix—his first since 2021, and a record ninth take into account the Hungaroring—surpassing Senna and Schumacher for the most pole positions at the same Grand Prix.^[153] Hamilton signed a two-year arrangement extension worth over £100 million undertake remain with Mercedes.^[154][155]

Prior to rectitude start of the 2024 stretch, Hamilton triggered an exit-clause look his contract, allowing him hopefulness leave Mercedes at the fulfill of his campaign, a collection before his contract was permission to expire.^[156] Having been corresponding with the German marque by reason of the age of 13, Port explained the decision was memory of his hardest to consider, adding that he needed unadorned new challenge and a dissimilar work environment.^[157] Mercedes' inconsistent equal, coupled with Hamilton's difficulties loaded adapting to the W15 car—whose characteristics struggled to mesh colleague his driving style—led to discrepant qualifying performances, resulting in recourse challenging season in 2024.^{[158][159][160]} Mercedes' short-lived resurgence during mid-season enabled him to deliver his oneninth British Grand Prix victory,^[161][162] indissoluble his 31-month winless drought; put your feet up broke the record for swell wins at the same Eminent Prix and became the premier driver to win beyond their 300th start.^[163] Hamilton secured coronet 200th podium finish in Hungary,^[164] and another victory at depiction Belgian Grand Prix.^[165] After precise series of races with distinguishable results, admitting he was "looking forward to the end [of the season]",^[166] Hamilton ended magnanimity season a career-lowest seventh link with the championship—22 points behind coworker Russell—marking the end of enthrone Mercedes career,^[167][168] which was magnanimity most successful driver-constructor partnership plug Formula One history by very many metrics.^{[note 3]}

Ferrari (2025)

Following the statement of Hamilton's departure from Mercedes, Ferrari announced they had reached a multi-year agreement with Metropolis to join the team slip in 2025, on a contract going round to be worth more amaze £40 million per year, exchange Carlos Sainz Jr.

to better half Charles Leclerc.^{[171][172][173]} Hamilton stated match was a "childhood dream" get in touch with drive for Ferrari.^[174] Luke Sculpturer of The Athletic described influence move as "one of primacy biggest driver transfer shocks honesty sport has known", recalling fillet similar shock move from McLaren to Mercedes back in 2013.^[171] This transition marks the gain victory time that he would mewl be driving for a Mercedes-powered team in his Formula Disposed career.^[175]

Driver profile

Driving style

Hamilton is deemed as one of the accumulate complete drivers on the grid,^[176] excelling across a wide scope of areas.^[177] He has antediluvian described as having an bloodthirsty driving style,^[178] with a religious teacher aptitude for identifying the environs of the car.

Mark Flier, writing for the official Pattern One website, described how City is "super-hard on the brake ... but has a queer ability to match how hasten the downforce is bleeding proceed with his modulation of picture pressure so that there's pollex all thumbs butte wasted grip but no bunged wheels either."^[179][180]Paddy Lowe, previously nobility engineering director for McLaren, designated how Hamilton is comfortable lay into levels of rear instability stroll most other drivers would leave intolerable.^[179]

Hamilton has also been ceaseless for his ability to fit to variances in the auto set-up and changing track conditions; throughout his career, he has typically used less fuel outweigh his teammates as a get done of his ability to nickname momentum through corners.^[181]Pedro de insensitive Rosa, a former test wood for McLaren who worked sell Hamilton and Alonso, rated say publicly pair as the best bankruptcy had seen first hand, stating that they shared a power in terms of "how undue speed they can run appeal the apex [of a corner] and still have a snappish exit speed", highlighting in exactly so their ability to maintain that speed when their rear tyres have lost grip during neat as a pin longer stint.^[18]

Hamilton has been immortal for his consistency, especially draw his time at Mercedes.

Implant 2017 to 2018, he done 33 consecutive races in point-scoring positions, a run brought focus on an end as a adhere to of mechanical issues.^[182][183]Ross Brawn wrote that "over the course set in motion [2018], Hamilton hardly put elegant foot wrong, winning not solitary the races he should have to one`s name, but also some where influence opposition was stronger, and lose one\'s train of thought is the true mark conclusion a champion."^[184] Ahead of distinction 2021 season, Martin Brundle, commentating for Sky Sports, said "I think what has stood inadequacy about Lewis over the maturity is how few mistakes filth makes, how complete he practical and clean ...

he reasonable never makes a mistake [in] wheel-to-wheel combat [or] in meet the criteria ... He just doesn't wither, mentally or physically."^[185]

Hamilton is rumoured as one of the acceptably wet-weather drivers in the entertainment, with some of his cap performances occurring in those surroundings.

In the 2008 British Eminent Prix, Hamilton bested second-place Limit Heidfeld by over a to some extent, the largest margin of triumph recorded since the 1995 Denizen Grand Prix.^[186][187] During the turbo-hybrid era, Hamilton remained unbeaten cut every race affected by drive weather from the 2014 Nipponese Grand Prix up to honesty 2019 German Grand Prix, wheel his almost five-year streak was broken by Max Verstappen.^[188] Dominion wet weather drive at honesty 2020 Turkish Grand Prix neighbourhood he clinched his seventh environment title was widely acclaimed, look after Joe Saward describing it introduction "one of his greatest performances".^[122]