Lewis Hamilton: F1 Bio, Stats & Career Timeline

Lewis Hamilton is a seven-time Formula 1 World Champion and British racing driver for Scuderia Ferrari. Born on 7 January 1985 in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, Hamilton is widely regarded as one of the greatest drivers in the history of the sport, holding the all-time records for race wins, pole positions, and podium finishes. In 2008 he became the first Black driver to win the Formula 1 World Drivers' Championship, a landmark moment for the sport.

Early Life and Junior Career

Hamilton began racing at age eight and won the British Kart Championship at just ten years old. His talent caught the attention of McLaren, who signed him to their Young Driver Programme in 1998, backing his progression through the junior single-seater ladder. He won the British Formula Renault Championship in 2003, followed by the F3 Euro Series title in 2005, before capping his junior career with the GP2 Series championship in 2006 alongside ART Grand Prix — completing one of the most dominant rookie-to-title junior careers in modern motorsport.

The McLaren Years (2007–2012)

Hamilton made his Formula 1 debut with McLaren in 2007, partnering two-time World Champion Fernando Alonso and immediately proving himself a title contender, narrowly missing the championship by a single point in his rookie season. He won his first World Drivers' Championship in 2008 at the age of 23, at the time becoming the sport's youngest-ever champion. He remained with McLaren through 2012, establishing himself as one of the fastest and most exciting drivers on the grid.

Mercedes Dominance (2013–2024)

Hamilton's move to Mercedes ahead of the 2013 season proved to be one of the most successful driver-team partnerships in Formula 1 history. He won six further World Championships with the team — in 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 — matching Michael Schumacher's record of seven titles overall. His 2019 campaign is often cited as one of his most dominant, securing the title with two races to spare and closing out the year with a grand slam victory at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Over twelve seasons with Mercedes, Hamilton became Formula 1's all-time leader in wins, poles, and podiums.

Move to Ferrari (2025–Present)

Hamilton made a landmark move to Scuderia Ferrari for the 2025 season, one of the most anticipated driver transfers in Formula 1 history. After a challenging start, he returned to the top step of the podium in 2026, taking a win at the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona and extending his all-time record tallies for wins, poles, and podiums even further into his late thirties — continuing to compete at the front of the field deep into what is already the longest and most decorated career in the sport's history.

Personal Life

Hamilton is the half-brother of fellow racing driver Nicolas Hamilton, who competes in the British Touring Car Championship. Outside racing, he is known for his advocacy work in diversity and sustainability within motorsport, his interest in fashion and music, and his ownership stake in several sporting and entertainment ventures.

Key Career Facts at a Glance

• Full name: Lewis Carl Davidson Hamilton
• Nationality: British
• Born: 7 January 1985, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, England
• Team: Scuderia Ferrari
• Car number: 44
• F1 debut: 2007 Australian Grand Prix
• Career starts: 387
• Career wins: 106
• Career podiums: 206
• Career pole positions: 104
• World Championships: 7 (2008, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020)