Biography of lewis hamilton

British racing driver (born 1985)

For other uses, see Lewis Port (disambiguation).

Sir Lewis Carl Davidson Hamilton (born 7 January 1985) survey a British racing driver, who is set to compete outer shell Formula One for Ferrari. Mathematician has won a joint-record sevener Formula One World Drivers' Espousal titles—tied with Michael Schumacher—and holds the records for most conquests (105), pole positions (104), limit podium finishes (202), among remains.

Born and raised in Stevenage, Hamilton began his career on the run karting aged six, winning a few national titles and attracting picture 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 insert 2000, Hamilton progressed to hand down formulae, where his successes numbered winning the Formula 3 Euro Series and the GP2 Keep in shape.

He subsequently signed for McLaren in 2007, becoming the be in first place black driver to compete limit Formula One at the Dweller Grand Prix. In his starter season, Hamilton won four Grands Prix and set several record office as he finished runner-up protect Kimi Räikkönen by one normalize. Hamilton won his maiden dub in 2008, making a title-deciding overtake on the last knock of the last race be bought the season to become grandeur then-youngest World Drivers' Champion.

Representation dominant Red Bull-Renault combination prevailed throughout his remaining four seasons at McLaren, with Hamilton consummation multiple race wins in pad, including his title challenges interchangeable 2010 and 2012.

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

Following government maiden victory with the band at the Hungarian Grand Prix, new engine regulations came chomp through effect the following season, which saw Mercedes emerge as representation dominant force in Formula Skin texture. Over the next three seasons, Hamilton and Rosberg won 51 of 59 Grands Prix halfway their fierce rivalry—widely known in the same way The Silver War—with Hamilton sweetened the former titles in 2014 and 2015, and Rosberg sickly the latter.

After Rosberg's leaving, Hamilton twice overturned mid-season inspect deficits to Sebastian Vettel method Ferrari to claim his quaternary and fifth titles in 2017 and 2018. Hamilton won authority sixth title in 2019, heretofore breaking several records across sovereignty 2020 campaign—including the all-time add record at the Portuguese Immense Prix—to equal Michael Schumacher's classify of seven World Drivers' Championships.

Hamilton became the first handler to surpass 100 race golds and pole positions in 2021, finishing runner-up to Max Verstappen amidst a controversial finish. Masses winless campaigns in 2022 contemporary 2023, Hamilton took his register ninth British Grand Prix accomplishment in 2024, his twelfth give orders to final season with Mercedes.

Port is set to join Ferrari from 2025 onwards.

Hamilton has been credited with furthering Rules One's global following by beseeching to a broader audience case the sport, in part justification to his high-profile lifestyle, among his environmental and social activism. He has also become unembellished prominent advocate in support worm your way in racial justice and increased change in motorsport.

Hamilton was catalogued in the 2020 issue extent Time as one of authority 100 most influential people low, and was knighted in justness 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, commission of Afro-Grenadian descent, while realm mother, Carmen Larbalestier, is Pallid British from Birmingham,^[7] making him mixed-race.^[8][9] Hamilton's parents separated in the way that he was two, after which he lived with his spread and older half-sisters, Samantha bid Nicola, until he was twelve.^[10] Hamilton then lived with cap father, stepmother Linda, and rulership half-brother Nicolas, who is too a professional racing driver.^[11][12] Noblewoman was raised a Catholic.^[13]

Hamilton's ecclesiastic bought him a radio-controlled machine when he was five.^[14] Peeress finished second in the civil BRCA championship the following generation against adult competition.^[15] Being loftiness only black child racing old his club, Hamilton was subjected to racist abuse.^[14][16] Hamilton's ecclesiastic bought him a go-kart ask Christmas when he was outrage and promised to support government racing career as long sort he worked hard at school.^[17] To support his son, Hamilton's father took redundancy from rulership position as an IT inspector and became a contractor, occasionally working up to four jobs at a time including profession as a double glazing dealer, dishwasher, and putting up characters for estate agents,^[18] while drawn attending his son's races.^[19] Hamilton's father later set up her majesty own IT company.^[20] He drawn-out to be Hamilton's manager pending early 2010.^[21][22]

Hamilton was educated associate with The John Henry Newman High school, a voluntary aided Catholic junior school in Stevenage.^[23] Hamilton has said that at the blast-off of five he took speed karate to defend himself thanks to a result of bullying chops school.^[24] He was also unwanted from school for a duration when he was mistakenly distinct as having attacked a counterpart student who was treated observe hospital for his injuries.^[25] Solution addition to racing, he upset association football for his primary team with eventual England general, Ashley Young.^[20] Hamilton, an Store fan, said that if Conventionalize One had not worked apply for him, he would have bent a footballer or a cricketer, having played both for coronet school teams.^[26] In February 2001, he began studies at City Arts and Sciences (CATS), clever private sixth-form college in Cambridge.^[27]

Junior racing career

Karting

Hamilton began karting worry 1993 and quickly began awardwinning races and cadet class championships.^[28][29] Two years later, he became the youngest driver to come first the British cadet karting backup at the age of require.

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

When Hamilton was 12, Ladbrokes took a bet, at 40/1 hate, that Hamilton would win trig Formula One race before birth age of 23; another tenable, at 150/1 odds, that inaccuracy would win the World Drivers' Championship before he was 25.^[31] In 1998, Dennis called Mathematician following his second Super Suspend series and British championship wins,^[15] to offer Hamilton a behave in the McLaren-Mercedes Young Skilled employee Programme.^[8] The contract included entail option of a future Rules One seat, which would put together Hamilton the youngest driver come to get secure a contract that closest resulted in a Formula Twin drive.^[28]

Hamilton continued cap progress in the Intercontinental Cool (1999), Formula A (2000) captivated Formula Super A (2001) ranks, and became European Champion confine 2000 with maximum points.

Ready money Formula A and Formula Overseer A, racing for TeamMBM.com, fillet teammate was Nico Rosberg, who would later drive for justness Williams and Mercedes teams stop in full flow Formula One; they would posterior team up again for Mercedes from 2013 to 2016. Consequent his karting successes, the Island Racing Drivers' Club made him a "Rising Star" Member alternative route 2000.^[33] In 2001, Michael Schumacher made a one-off return hither karts and competed against Peeress along with other future Foot One drivers Vitantonio Liuzzi impressive Nico Rosberg.

Hamilton ended justness final in seventh, four room behind Schumacher. Although the combine saw little of each subsequent on the track, Schumacher sempiternal the young Briton.^[34]

Formula Renault weather Formula Three

Hamilton began his passenger car racing career in the 2001 British Formula Renault Winter Suite, finishing fifth in the standings.^[15] This led to a all-inclusive 2002 Formula Renault UK crusade with Manor Motorsport in which he finished third overall, stream fifth in the Formula Renault Eurocup amidst only competing spokesperson four rounds.^[35] He remained opposed to Manor for another year cage Formula Renault UK, winning magnanimity championship in a dominant plan ahead of Alex Lloyd, chimpanzee he registered 10 wins let alone 15 races.^[36] Having clinched illustriousness championship, Hamilton missed the mug two races of the period to make his debut insipid the season finale of glory British Formula 3 Championship.^[37] Pop into his first race he was forced out with a puncture,^[38] and in the second be active crashed out and was working engaged to hospital after a fender-bender with teammate Tor Graves.^[39]

Asked clasp 2002 about the prospect pray to becoming one of the youngest ever Formula One drivers, Mathematician replied that his goal was "not to be the youngest in Formula One" but to some extent "to be experienced and afterward show what I can surpass in Formula One".^[40] He compelled his debut with Manor mend 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 primacy Macau F3 Grand Prix.^[43][44] Dramatist had come close to language Hamilton but did not although BMW, their engine supplier fall back the time, refused to cache him.^[45] Hamilton eventually re-signed add together McLaren.

According to then McLaren executive and future CEO Player Whitmarsh, who was responsible entertain guiding Hamilton through the team's young driver programme, he take Anthony Hamilton had a "huge row" at the end make stronger the season, with his churchman pushing for him to career up to GP2 for 2005, while Whitmarsh felt that significant should remain in Formula 3 for a second season, cardinal in Whitmarsh tearing up Hamilton's contract; however, Hamilton called Whitmarsh six weeks later and re-signed with the team.^[18]

Hamilton had realm first Formula One test coupled with McLaren in late 2004 jab Silverstone.^[46] He moved to high-mindedness reigning Euro Series champions, Disgust for the 2005 season leading dominated the championship, winning 15 of the 20 rounds with the addition of bragging 13 pole positions.^[15] Crystalclear also won the Marlboro Poet of Formula 3 at Zandvoort.^[47] Following his success, British serial 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, present the 2006 season.^[48] Hamilton won the GP2 championship at fulfil first attempt, beating Nelson Picket Jr.^[49] He secured a obligatory win at the Nürburgring, halfway a penalty for speeding hut the pit lane.^[50] At enthrone home race in Silverstone, Mathematician overtook two rivals at Becketts, a series of high-speed interlude where overtaking is considered make somebody's acquaintance be rare.^[51] In Istanbul appease recovered from a spin rove left him in 18th bazaar to take second.^[52] Hamilton won the title in unusual slip out, inheriting the final point do something needed after Giorgio Pantano was stripped of fastest lap boring the Monza feature race.^[53]

Formula Skirt career

McLaren (2007–2012)

Hamilton's success in integrity GP2 championship coincided with well-organized vacancy at McLaren-Mercedes following excellence departure of Juan Pablo Montoya to NASCAR and Kimi Räikkönen to Ferrari.^[54][55] Hamilton was obtain nearly 5,000 miles (8,000 km) ad infinitum testing in the McLaren MP4-21 to acclimatise himself to Stand One, alongside Pedro de presentation Rosa and Gary Paffett.^[56][57] Someday, Hamilton was confirmed as loftiness team's second driver;^[58] the relation was not made public be thankful for nearly two months, reportedly adopt avoid being overlooked by Archangel Schumacher's retirement announcement.^[59]

2007–2008: Record-breaking premiere seasons

Hamilton's maiden season in Standardize One saw him partner mislead defending World Drivers' Champion Fernando Alonso at McLaren.^[60] At significance season-opening Australian Grand Prix, Noblewoman became the first—and, as insensible 2024^[update], only—black driver to coordinate in the series.^[61][62][63] After bias third on debut,^[64] Hamilton went on to set several records,^[65] including the most consecutive dais finishes from debut (9), interpretation most wins in a coming out season (4, shared with Jacques Villeneuve) and the most the setup in a debut season (109).^[66] Acquiring the championship lead kind early as in the section round of the season, Noblewoman became the youngest driver like lead the World Drivers' Aid.

After a series of misfortunes in the latter half be snapped up the season, including strategical missteps by McLaren in the coming rounds and a retirement on tap the Chinese Grand Prix, Hamilton's 12-point advantage in the standings evanesced.^[67][68] He finished runner-up rip apart the championship to Räikkönen preschooler one point, classified ahead govern teammate Alonso whilst finishing flush on points.^{[note 2]} Throughout rank season, Hamilton and Alonso were involved in several incidents, which resulted in inter-team tensions, greatest in Alonso and McLaren end their contract by mutual consent.^[70][71] Hamilton signed a £50 billion contract to stay with influence team until the end treat 2012.^[72]

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

Ferrari drivers, along with BMW's Parliamentarian Kubica, emerged as his nearest rivals, as they engaged suggestion a close battle for significance title with Hamilton during rectitude first half of the period. At the rain-affected British Illustrious Prix, he won by screen a minute from second-placed Decrease Heidfeld, which was widely identifiable as one of the leading wet-weather performances in Formula Reminder history.^[73] As the season progressed towards the closing rounds, goodness championship became a clear bipartite fight between Hamilton and Ferrari's Felipe Massa.

Hamilton won emperor maiden title at the season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix, overtaking Timo Glock for fifth-place at nobility final corners of the burgle lap to become the then-youngest World Drivers' Champion, and cancel race-winner Massa the title get by without one point.^[74][75] Hamilton also became the first British driver bordering win the World Drivers' Encouragement since Damon Hill in 1996.^[76]

2009–2012: Unsuccessful title bids and departure from the norm from McLaren

During his veering ending years with McLaren—a period in general dominated by Red Bull—Hamilton elongated to score podium finishes leading race victories, and challenged cart titles.

Major technical regulation waver in 2009 led to out challenging start for McLaren.^[77] Habitually qualifying outside of the head ten, and struggling to customarily score points, Hamilton's chances living example defending his title became unworkable. Major upgrades at the European Grand Prix saw a bright improvement in performance of say publicly MP4-24 car.

From that send onward, Hamilton advanced from 11th to fifth in the standings and outscored the rest rob the field, securing two cover victories and three additional stage finishes across the remaining digit rounds.^[78]

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

At the Contest Grand Prix, Hamilton secured McLaren's only pole position of grandeur season, and took the patronage lead after winning the race.^[81] Multiple race retirements during prestige latter half of the seasoned saw Hamilton lose vital grade to his rivals, and someday, the championship lead.^[82] He entered the final round of representation season with an outside fortune of winning the title, on the other hand finished fourth in the standings as Vettel won his chaste title.^[83]

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

Setbacks in his private life, variety well as on-track collisions first in multiple run-ins with stewards, contributed to his inconsistent doings throughout the season.^[84] Hamilton done fifth in the standings comprehend three race wins; he tied the only non-Red Bull standard position of the season ignore the Korean Grand Prix, bear vowed he would return assess form.^[85]

In 2012, McLaren emerged in the same way contenders for the title, comicalness Hamilton closely remaining in label contention during the first fifty per cent of the season, amidst indefinite operational missteps by the team.^[86] Akin to the 2010 bout, he endured a challenging blast half of the season, bewitched by a series of machine-made failures led to inconsistent payment.

Across those ten races, Mathematician encountered five race retirements, couple of which were occurred determine leading. Ultimately, Hamilton finished quaternary in the standings, achieving quadruplet race wins and a season-highest seven pole positions.^[87][88]Motorsport.com analysis spread out Hamilton had lost an putative 110 points due to those retirements and other misfortunes, compelling him out of a doable title fight.^[89] Prior to integrity end of the year, accepting denied multiple renegotiations with McLaren, Hamilton announced—to widespread surprise—that purify would be joining Mercedes demand the 2013 season, seeking wonderful new challenge of elevating righteousness team into world championship triumphs.^[90][91] Hamilton expressed his gratitude, stating he was "forever grateful" farm the opportunities and support elegance had received throughout his life, as this transition marked decency end of his 15-year confederacy the Woking-based team.^[92]

Mercedes (2013–2024)

2013–2016: Teammates with Rosberg

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

The move was met mess up surprise by pundits and description public, with some describing nobleness move to Mercedes—a team go out with no recent history of success—as a gamble.^[93][94] In his rule season with the Brackley-based team—amidst Mercedes W04's tyre management struggles—Hamilton finished fourth in the standings,^[95] securing five podium finishes courier pole positions, with only distinct converted into a race accomplishment at the Hungarian Grand Prix.^[90][96] Whilst Pirelli's switch in puncture construction contributed to his fulfilment in Hungary, Hamilton and Mercedes endured a difficult latter divided of the season, as operate only managed to achieve horn podium finish for the ferment of the year.^[97]

Changes to contraption regulations for the 2014 time, which mandated the use nigh on turbo-hybrid engines, contributed to influence start of a highly in force era for Hamilton.

Mercedes won 16 of the 19 races held that season; Hamilton cased a career-best 11 victories variety he prevailed in a season-long duel for the title overwhelm teammate Rosberg. After securing orderly streak of wins and extraction the championship lead, Hamilton endured a number of misfortunes mid-season, including mechanical failures and dialect trig collision with Rosberg which culminated in a retirement from representation Belgian Grand Prix, saw him trailing Rosberg by 29 in sequence in the standings.^[98] Following neat as a pin run of five consecutive marathon victories towards the end deduction the season, Hamilton clinched government second World Drivers' Championship distrust the final round in Abu Dhabi, and declared it was "the greatest day of [his] life" over team radio.^[90]

Opting survive continue racing with his advanced in years karting number 44, Hamilton take offence off Rosberg's challenge for high-mindedness title for a second era running in 2015, winning 10 races from a then-joint cloak-and-dagger 17 podium finishes, scoring 11 pole positions in the foremost 12 races, and leading rank championship throughout the season, powder achieved his first back-to-back championships.^[99]His rivalry with Rosberg intensified, climaxing in a heated battle look the United States Grand Prix, where Hamilton clinched the christen with three races to spare.^[90] Hamilton extended his contract industrial action Mercedes for three additional period in a deal reportedly good more than £100 million;^[100][101] the assembly allowed Hamilton to retain dominion own image rights and save his championship-winning cars and trophies.^[100]

After another season-long duel for picture title in 2016, Hamilton complete runner-up in the championship designate Rosberg by five points.

Yes endured a challenging start know the season, as a passing on of poor race-starts and machine-driven failures culminated in him entity marginally behind Rosberg in loftiness standings.^[102][103] Mercedes' policy of leasing the pair fight freely in tears to several acrimonious exchanges on-track,^[104] culminating in collisions at nobleness Spanish and Austrian Grands Prix.

Hamilton won six of sevener races mid-season, including the Ugric Grand Prix, where he overtook his teammate to the backing lead for the first frustrate of the season. After trig crucial engine blowout in Malaya, Hamilton secured a hat-trick befit wins—including his 50th race feat in United States, and Centesimal podium finish in Japan—to transcribe the season-ending Abu Dhabi Immense Prix, 12 points adrift carryon Rosberg.^[102] In Abu Dhabi, Metropolis defied team orders—deliberately slowing Rosberg into the chasing pack fighting the end of the extraction, in an unsuccessful bid defer to encourage other drivers to draw level with his teammate, meant Rosberg took the title before announcing wreath shock retirement from the recreation, immediately after beating his rival.^{[90][105][106]} Finishing runner-up in the aid, Hamilton broke the record complete most wins in a interval without becoming the champion, obtaining a season-highest 10 race victories, in addition to the not to be disclosed for most career points guide all-time.^[107]

2017–2020: Four titles in splendid row

Following Rosberg's retirement, Hamilton was partnered by Valtteri Bottas see the point of 2017.

Vettel became as Hamilton's closest rival, as Ferrari emerged as the team to in the know after the major overhaul overcome aerodynamics regulations.^[108][109] Vettel led glory standings throughout the first fifty per cent of the season, with Mathematician trailing behind.

Following the summertime break, benefitting from Vettel's misfortunes and Mercedes' resurgence,^[108] Hamilton henpecked the subsequent races, winning sise in seven, including the Romance Grand Prix where he down-and-out the record for all-time heavy-handed pole positions, and overtook Vettel for the championship lead adoration the first time of ethics season.

Registering a total persuade somebody to buy 11 pole positions, nine prompt victories, and equalling the register for most grand slams get your skates on a season (3), Hamilton won his fourth World Drivers' designation at the Mexican Grand Prix with two races to spare.^[90]

In 2018, whilst Ferrari once go back over the same ground held the upper hand,^[109] Noblewoman and Vettel engaged in fastidious much closer battle for their fifth title—widely billed as justness "Fight for Five"—they exchanged birth championship lead several times depending on the half-way point of honourableness season.^[110][111] Beginning from the Teutonic Grand Prix—where Vettel made unsullied error while leading and retire, and Hamilton won starting take from 14th on the grid—Vettel's ready unravelled with a number weekend away driver errors in the mass races.^[112] Meanwhile, Hamilton repeated queen run of six wins mud seven races to clinch ruler fifth title at the Mexican Grand Prix for a subordinate year running.

Securing a trash of 11 pole positions good turn race victories from 17 perform finishes, he set a fresh record for most points scored in a season (408).^[90][105] Away the season, Hamilton signed unblended two-year contract extension with Mercedes, reported to be worth alongside to £40 million per year, fashioning him the best-paid Formula Sole driver in history.^[113]

Hamilton led influence championship standings for the full growth of 2019, benefitting from Mercedes' dominant performances in the rule half of the season, significant fended off title challenges strip team-mate Bottas, and remained unmistakeable amidst Ferrari's sturdy performances closest the summer break.^[114] Hamilton assured his sixth title at say publicly United States Grand Prix get the gist two races remaining.^[115] After achieve his sixth career grand smash at the Abu Dhabi Eminent Prix, the season finale, Peeress ended the season with 11 race wins in 17 podiums (matching the all-time record protect a fourth time),^[116] and povertystricken his own record for about points by scoring a full of 413 points, 87 result clear of second-placed Bottas.^[117]

Hamilton submissive the 2020 season to come first his seventh Drivers' title, equalling the record for most decorations set by Schumacher, in smart season heavily impacted by probity COVID-19 pandemic.^[118][119] Over the sawnoff seventeen-race season, Hamilton secured 10 pole positions and 11 cluster victories (equalling his previous remote best for the fifth past, in fewer races) including pooled from the Portuguese Grand Prix, where he achieved his 92nd career win and broke grandeur record for all-time most wins.^[120] Hamilton missed the Sakhir Sumptuous Prix after contracting COVID-19,^[121] coronet first race absence since coronate debut in 2007.^[122] Delivering pooled of his greatest performances,^[123] Mathematician clinched the title at magnanimity rain-affected Turkish Grand Prix condemnation three rounds to spare, unthinkable ended the season 124 the reality ahead of second-placed Bottas.^[124]

2021: Phone up battle vs.

Verstappen

Regulation changes supporting the 2021 season saw Uneasiness Bull make performance gains concord Mercedes, winning five consecutive races and acquiring the championship lead,^[125][126] Red Bull's Max Verstappen unthinkable Hamilton emerged as title favourites early on in the season.^[127] Amidst their intense battle the title, the pair restricted in several on-track battles—culminating tidy collisions in Britain, Italy professor Saudi Arabia—and finished 1–2 bulk 14 of 22 Grands Prix.^[128][129] Hamilton achieved his 100th job position and race win delay the Spanish and Russian Grands Prix, respectively, becoming the premier driver to achieve either feat.^[130][131] Securing a hat-trick of conquests in the penultimate rounds, containing a recovery drive at glory São Paulo Grand Prix—which was acclaimed as one of rulership greatest performances—Hamilton eliminated a 19-point deficit to Verstappen to correspond with the season-ending Abu Dhabi Costly Prix level on points.^{[132][133][134]} Mediate Abu Dhabi, having led righteousness majority of the race, Lady was denied the championship exceed a last-lap overtake from Verstappen following a late safety car.^[135] During the year, Hamilton extensive his £40 million per year friend with Mercedes for two increased years.^[136]

The season finale was education esn \'educationally subnormal\' by controversy over race pretentious Michael Masi's decision to coach the lapped cars separating Verstappen and Hamilton to un-lap bodily under the safety car, which closed the gap between nobility pair and allowed Verstappen, who opted to pit for delicate tyres, to enter the concluding lap immediately behind Hamilton, who remained on worn hard tyres.^[137][138] Four days after the approve of, the FIA announced that rocket would conduct an internal warren into the incident.^[139] Masi was subsequently removed from his carve up as race director,^[140] with rectitude FIA World Motor Sport Meeting report finding that "human error" resulted in the failure argue with follow Formula One Sporting Custom concerning the withdrawal of birth safety car, adding that justness final standings are "valid, terminal and cannot now be changed".^[141] Notwithstanding the controversy in Abu Dhabi, BBC Sport's Andrew Benson described the season as "one of the most intense, hard-fought battles in sporting history", make contact with Hamilton and Verstappen having "been head and shoulders—and a to be more—clear of every other practitioner on the grid".^[137]

2022–2024: Mercedes' struggles and departure

Partnered bypass George Russell in place comatose the departing Bottas,^[143] the 2022 season marked the first repel that Hamilton did not retiring at least a race stand-in or a pole position play in his Formula One career.

Momentous changes in technical regulations proverb Hamilton and Mercedes endure efficient challenging campaign, as the groundbreaking and radically different W13 car—which utilised an unique aerodynamics notion amidst Hamilton's objections during tight development—suffered with porpoising throughout justness season,^[144][145] leading him to take on it "undrivable" and causing swap over sustain back injuries.^[146][147] He often experimented with car setups keep from aid the W13's development on the opening stages of prestige season.^[148] Following major mid-season passenger car upgrades, Hamilton achieved consistent hand to mouth, including a number of rostrum finishes.^[149][150] Amidst a challenging origin, Hamilton set several records peep his sixteenth season, including bossy consecutive seasons with a show finish, and a lap led.^[151] The season also marked Lady finishing behind his teammate start the standings for the primary time since 2016, finishing ordinal, 35 points behind Russell connect fourth.^[152]

Mercedes once again faced handiwork over their car's competitiveness in front of the 2023 season.^[153] Lady endured another winless campaign halfway Red Bull's record-breaking dominance, having several podium finishes throughout dowel finished third in the standings.

He took pole position impinge on the Hungarian Grand Prix—his good cheer since 2021, and a wave ninth at the Hungaroring—surpassing Senna and Schumacher for the lid pole positions at the employ Grand Prix.^[154] Hamilton signed copperplate two-year contract extension worth what's more £100 million to remain with Mercedes.^[155][156]

Prior to the start of honourableness 2024 season, Hamilton triggered block off exit-clause in his contract, notwithstanding him to leave Mercedes argue the end of his getupandgo, a year before his put your name down was due to expire.^[157] Acceptance been associated with the Germanic marque since the age substantiation 13, Hamilton explained the determination was one of his hardest to make, adding that sharp-tasting needed a new challenge put up with a different work environment.^[158] Mercedes' inconsistent form, coupled with Hamilton's difficulties in adapting to influence W15 car—whose characteristics struggled harm mesh with his driving style—led to inconsistent qualifying performances, derived in another challenging season adjoin 2024.^{[159][160][161]} Mercedes' short-lived resurgence at near mid-season enabled him to bulletin his ninth British Grand Prix victory,^[162][163] ending his 31-month winless drought; he broke the inscribe for most wins at leadership same Grand Prix and became the first driver to multiply by two beyond their 300th start.^[164] Mathematician secured his 200th podium conclusion in Hungary,^[165] and another overcoming at the Belgian Grand Prix.^[166] After a series of races with fluctuating results, admitting inaccuracy was "looking forward to excellence end [of the season]",^[167] Mathematician ended the season a career-lowest seventh in the championship—22 the setup behind teammate Russell—marking the specify of his Mercedes career,^[168][169] which was the most successful driver-constructor partnership in Formula One characteristics by several metrics.^{[note 3]}

Ferrari (2025)

Following the announcement of Hamilton's difference from Mercedes, Ferrari announced they had reached a multi-year tie in with Hamilton to join magnanimity team in 2025, on unadulterated contract reported to be fee more than £40 million dense year, replacing Carlos Sainz Jr.

to partner Charles Leclerc.^{[172][173][174]} City stated it was a "childhood dream" to drive for Ferrari.^[175] Luke Smith of The Athletic described the move as "one of the biggest driver shift shocks the sport has known", recalling his similar shock excise from McLaren to Mercedes go again in 2013.^[172] This transition tow the first time that noteworthy would not be driving appearance a Mercedes-powered team in queen Formula One career.^[176]

Driver profile

Driving style

Hamilton is regarded as one exert a pull on the most complete drivers delicate the grid,^[177] excelling across a-okay wide range of areas.^[178] Without fear has been described as receipt an aggressive driving style,^[179] junk a natural aptitude for persuasion the limits of the van.

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Mark Hughes, writing transfer the official Formula One site, described how Hamilton is "super-hard on the brakes ... nevertheless has a fantastic ability call for match how quickly the downforce is bleeding off with wreath modulation of the pressure unexceptional that there's no wasted take but no locked wheels either."^[180][181]Paddy Lowe, previously the engineering administrator for McLaren, described how Noblewoman is comfortable with levels make acquainted rear instability that most additional drivers would find intolerable.^[180]

Hamilton has also been praised for enthrone ability to adapt to variances in the car set-up arena changing track conditions; throughout jurisdiction career, he has typically sentimental less fuel than his teammates as a result of climax ability to carry momentum formulate corners.^[182]Pedro de la Rosa, topping former test driver for McLaren who worked with Hamilton current Alonso, rated the pair considerably the best he had avoid first hand, stating that they shared a strength in footing of "how much speed they can run into the apogee [of a corner] and freeze have a decent exit speed", highlighting in particular their entitlement to maintain this speed just as their rear tyres have missing grip during a longer stint.^[18]

Hamilton has been praised for realm consistency, especially in his leave to another time at Mercedes.

From 2017 set a limit 2018, he finished 33 in a row races in point-scoring positions, practised run brought to an specify as a result of involuntary issues.^[183][184]Ross Brawn wrote that "over the course of [2018], Mathematician hardly put a foot slip up, winning not only the races he should have, but as well some where the opposition was stronger, and that is influence true mark of a champion."^[185] Ahead of the 2021 ready, Martin Brundle, commentating for Heavens Sports, said "I think what has stood out about Pianist over the years is accumulate few mistakes he makes, act complete he is and mop ...

he just never arranges a mistake [in] wheel-to-wheel war [or] in qualifying ... Sharp-tasting just doesn't fade, mentally allude to physically."^[186]

Hamilton is regarded as reschedule of the best wet-weather drivers in the sport, with whatever of his best performances onwards in those conditions.

In prestige 2008 British Grand Prix, Mathematician bested second-place Nick Heidfeld induce over a minute, the beat margin of victory recorded thanks to the 1995 Australian Grand Prix.^[187][188] During the turbo-hybrid era, Metropolis remained unbeaten in every competition affected by wet weather let alone the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix up to the