From his explosive debut to his record-breaking achievements, Lewis Hamilton has left an indelible mark on Formula 1. We look back at the key moments of the British driver's career, including his championships, and team history.
Lewis Hamilton, one of the most successful drivers in Formula 1 history, has been rewriting the record books since his debut in 2007. After starting his elite motorsport career with McLaren, Hamilton secured one world title with the Woking-based constructor before making what was then considered a risky move to join Mercedes in 2013.
His decision was vindicated as he went on to win six more world championships, matching the legendary Michael Schumacher and cementing his status as one of the sport's all-time greats. After a prestigious partnership with Mercedes, Hamilton made headlines again with a blockbuster move to Ferrari for the 2025 season, a signing met with immense excitement in Maranello.
Driver Profile
Name | Sir Lewis Carl Davidson Hamilton |
F1 Team | Ferrari |
Age | 41 |
Birthdate | January 7, 1985 |
Birthplace | Stevenage, England |
Debut | 2007 Australian Grand Prix |
First Win | 2007 Canadian Grand Prix |
Lewis Hamilton Career Stats
World Championships: 7 (2008, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020)
Grand Prix Wins: 106
Podiums: 207
Pole Positions: 104
Grand Prix Entered: 391
Career Points: 5,187.5
*Stats as of July 29, 2026
Lewis Hamilton's F1 Team History
McLaren: A First Title and a Fierce Rivalry
Hamilton burst onto the F1 scene with McLaren in 2007, nearly winning the championship in his rookie season. He finished third in his debut race in Australia and secured a podium finish in his first nine races—an F1 record.
This remarkable run included his first F1 victory in Canada, followed immediately by another win at Indianapolis. He later added victories in Hungary and Japan. However, his season was marked by a rapidly souring relationship with teammate Fernando Alonso. The two ended the year tied on points, finishing second and third in the championship, just one point behind Ferrari's Kimi Räikkönen.
Hamilton's first-ever retirement in the penultimate race in China ultimately cost him the title, but he didn't have to wait long for glory. He clinched his first world championship in a dramatic 2008 season finale in Brazil, overtaking Toyota's Timo Glock on the final lap of a rain-soaked race to beat Ferrari's Felipe Massa to the title by a single point. It would be his only championship with the British team.
Mercedes: Dominance and a Place in History
Hamilton caused a media storm when he announced his departure to join Mercedes for the 2013 season. The German team was not a front-runner at the time, but the British driver's bold gamble paid off spectacularly.
After securing his first win for Mercedes at the 2013 Hungarian Grand Prix, Hamilton dominated the next two seasons, winning back-to-back championships with 21 victories across 2014 and 2015. His title streak was briefly interrupted in 2016 when teammate Nico Rosberg edged him out by five points in a tense season. Hamilton suffered two retirements that year, while the German driver failed to score points only once.
Hamilton then went on to win the next four consecutive championships, claiming 42 race wins and achieving an incredible run of six titles in seven seasons. His reign came to a controversial end in the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, one of the most notorious season finales in the sport's history. The Mercedes driver was on course to seal his eighth championship when a late safety car decision allowed his rival, Max Verstappen, to close the gap on fresh tires. The Dutchman made the pass on the final lap to begin his own era of dominance.
The 2022 and 2023 seasons were the only winless campaigns of Hamilton's career, though he still managed to finish sixth and third in the championship standings, respectively. He ended a 945-day victory drought at the 2024 British Grand Prix, securing a historic ninth win at Silverstone. He followed that up with his 105th career victory in Belgium.
Ferrari: The Hunt for an Eighth Championship
Embarking on a new chapter with Ferrari in 2025, Hamilton continues his quest for an elusive eighth world title. However, his first year with the iconic team has been challenging. Many analysts have described it as one of the toughest of his career.
Lewis Hamilton has bounced back in 2026, winning his first race (2026 Barcelona Grand Prix) after a 686 day drought. Read about Lewis Hamilton's first Grand Prix win since 2024.
Lewis Hamilton's F1 Records
Most consecutive starts: 265
Most consecutive wins at the same Grand Prix: 5 (Spanish GP)
Most pole positions at the same Grand Prix: 9 (Hungarian GP)
Most consecutive seasons with a win: 15
Most seasons with a podium finish: 19
Most races finishing in the points: 313
Most podiums at different Grands Prix: 37
Most podiums at a single circuit: 15 (Silverstone)
Most lights-to-flag victories: 23
Most consecutive years leading a Grand Prix: 18
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