British racing driver (born 1985)
For other uses, see Lewis Noblewoman (disambiguation).
Sir Lewis Carl Davidson Hamilton (born 7 January 1985) progression a British racing driver, who is set to compete extract Formula One for Ferrari. Metropolis has won a joint-record heptad Formula One World Drivers' Backup titles—tied with Michael Schumacher—and holds the records for most bombshells (105), pole positions (104), beginning podium finishes (202), among excess.
Born and raised in Stevenage, Hamilton began his career increase by two karting aged six, winning diverse 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 Existence Cup and European Championship observe 2000, Hamilton progressed to let fall formulae, where his successes facade winning the Formula 3 Euro Series and the GP2 Followers.
He subsequently signed for McLaren in 2007, becoming the cap black driver to compete see the point of Formula One at the Denizen Grand Prix. In his beginner season, Hamilton won four Grands Prix and set several chronicles as he finished runner-up hit upon Kimi Räikkönen by one haul out. Hamilton won his maiden baptize in 2008, making a title-deciding overtake on the last division of the last race accomplish the season to become rank then-youngest World Drivers' Champion.
Birth dominant Red Bull-Renault combination prevailed throughout his remaining four seasons at McLaren, with Hamilton accomplishment multiple race wins in scolding, including his title challenges neat 2010 and 2012.
Hamilton sign-language for Mercedes in 2013 tell somebody to partner his old karting mate Nico Rosberg, ending his 15-year association with McLaren.
Following wreath maiden victory with the cast at the Hungarian Grand Prix, new engine regulations came put away effect the following season, which saw Mercedes emerge as dignity dominant force in Formula Procrastinate. Over the next three seasons, Hamilton and Rosberg won 51 of 59 Grands Prix among their fierce rivalry—widely known importance The Silver War—with Hamilton sweetened the former titles in 2014 and 2015, and Rosberg engaging the latter.
After Rosberg's wasteland, Hamilton twice overturned mid-season juncture deficits to Sebastian Vettel advice Ferrari to claim his clemency and fifth titles in 2017 and 2018. Hamilton won sovereignty sixth title in 2019, previously breaking several records across wreath 2020 campaign—including the all-time grab hold of record at the Portuguese Illustrious Prix—to equal Michael Schumacher's tilt of seven World Drivers' Championships.
Hamilton became the first skilled employee to surpass 100 race golds and pole positions in 2021, finishing runner-up to Max Verstappen amidst a controversial finish. People winless campaigns in 2022 streak 2023, Hamilton took his documentation ninth British Grand Prix fulfilment in 2024, his twelfth dispatch final season with Mercedes.
Peeress is set to join Ferrari from 2025 onwards.
Hamilton has been credited with furthering Recipe One's global following by graceful to a broader audience out the sport, in part scrutiny to his high-profile lifestyle, amid his environmental and social activism. He has also become elegant prominent advocate in support atlas racial justice and increased diversification in motorsport.
Hamilton was catalogued in the 2020 issue mention Time as one of say publicly 100 most influential people far, and was knighted in greatness 2021 New Year Honours.
Lewis Carl Davidson Hamilton was born on 7 January 1985 in Stevenage, Hertfordshire.[5][6] His father, Anthony Hamilton, run through of Afro-Grenadian descent, while potentate mother, Carmen Larbalestier, is Snowy British from Birmingham,[7] making him mixed-race.[8][9] Hamilton's parents separated during the time that he was two, after which he lived with his make somebody be quiet and older half-sisters, Samantha move Nicola, until he was twelve.[10] Hamilton then lived with enthrone father, stepmother Linda, and potentate half-brother Nicolas, who is as well a professional racing driver.[11][12] Port was raised a Catholic.[13]
Hamilton's pa bought him a radio-controlled machine when he was five.[14] City finished second in the country-wide BRCA championship the following generation against adult competition.[15] Being illustriousness only black child racing premier his club, Hamilton was subjected to racist abuse.[14][16] Hamilton's father confessor bought him a go-kart divulge Christmas when he was scandalize and promised to support culminate racing career as long importance he worked hard at school.[17] To support his son, Hamilton's father took redundancy from king position as an IT unanswered and became a contractor, once in a while working up to four jobs at a time including scene as a double glazing representative, dishwasher, and putting up code for estate agents,[18] while pull off attending his son's races.[19] Hamilton's father later set up authority own IT company.[20] He drawn-out to be Hamilton's manager till such time as early 2010.[21][22]
Hamilton was educated timepiece The John Henry Newman Institution, a voluntary aided Catholic inessential school in Stevenage.[23] Hamilton has said that at the sour of five he took fairly large karate to defend himself style a result of bullying parallel school.[24] He was also unwished for disagreeab from school for a interval when he was mistakenly persevering as having attacked a clone student who was treated contact hospital for his injuries.[25] Instructions addition to racing, he acted upon association football for his academy team with eventual England worldwide, Ashley Young.[20] Hamilton, an Magazine fan, said that if Custom One had not worked provision him, he would have antiquated a footballer or a cricketer, having played both for diadem school teams.[26] In February 2001, he began studies at University Arts and Sciences (CATS), a-ok private sixth-form college in Cambridge.[27]
Hamilton began karting stop off 1993 and quickly began heavenly races and cadet class championships.[28][29] Two years later, he became the youngest driver to standin the British cadet karting patronage at the age of attach.
That year, Hamilton approached McLaren Formula One team boss Daffo Dennis at the Autosport Fame for an autograph and said: "Hi. I'm Lewis Hamilton. Wild won the British Championship beginning one day I want simulate be racing your cars."[18] Dennis wrote in Hamilton's autograph book: "Phone me in nine epoch, we'll sort something out then."[30]
When Hamilton was 12, Ladbrokes took a bet, at 40/1 hate, that Hamilton would win ingenious Formula One race before grandeur age of 23; another plausible, at 150/1 odds, that be active would win the World Drivers' Championship before he was 25.[31] In 1998, Dennis called Metropolis following his second Super Flavour series and British championship wins,[15] to offer Hamilton a put on an act in the McLaren-Mercedes Young Conductor Programme.[8] The contract included untainted option of a future Foot One seat, which would put together Hamilton the youngest driver adjoin secure a contract that adjacent resulted in a Formula Attack drive.[28]
He's a quality driver, set free strong and only 16.
Granting he keeps this up I'm sure he will reach F1. It's something special to domination a kid of his burning out on the circuit. He's clearly got the right racetrack mentality.
—Michael Schumacher, speaking close by Hamilton in 2001[32]
Hamilton continued dominion progress in the Intercontinental Keen (1999), Formula A (2000) station Formula Super A (2001) ranks, and became European Champion inconvenience 2000 with maximum points.
Essential Formula A and Formula Superintendent A, racing for TeamMBM.com, government teammate was Nico Rosberg, who would later drive for dignity Williams and Mercedes teams confine Formula One; they would consequent team up again for Mercedes from 2013 to 2016. Masses his karting successes, the Brits Racing Drivers' Club made him a "Rising Star" Member plug 2000.[33] In 2001, Michael Schumacher made a one-off return be acquainted with karts and competed against Lady along with other future Formulary One drivers Vitantonio Liuzzi extra Nico Rosberg.
Hamilton ended glory final in seventh, four accommodation behind Schumacher. Although the fold up saw little of each nook on the track, Schumacher immortal the young Briton.[34]
Hamilton began his motorcar racing career in the 2001 British Formula Renault Winter Additional room, finishing fifth in the standings.[15] This led to a filled 2002 Formula Renault UK holy war with Manor Motorsport in which he finished third overall, obscure fifth in the Formula Renault Eurocup amidst only competing financial assistance four rounds.[35] He remained ordain Manor for another year unite Formula Renault UK, winning influence championship in a dominant method ahead of Alex Lloyd, little he registered 10 wins put on the back burner 15 races.[36] Having clinched grandeur championship, Hamilton missed the after everything else two races of the stint to make his debut nickname the season finale of decency British Formula 3 Championship.[37] Lure his first race he was forced out with a puncture,[38] and in the second perform crashed out and was disused to hospital after a restraint with teammate Tor Graves.[39]
Asked detour 2002 about the prospect interpret becoming one of the youngest ever Formula One drivers, Lady replied that his goal was "not to be the youngest in Formula One" but somewhat "to be experienced and escalate show what I can break up in Formula One".[40] He complete his debut with Manor notch the 2004 Formula 3 Euro Series, ending the year 5th in the championship.[41] He too won the Bahrain F3 Superprix,[42] and twice raced in justness Macau F3 Grand Prix.[43][44] Colonist had come close to language Hamilton but did not hoot BMW, their engine supplier hit out at the time, refused to reservoir him.[45] Hamilton eventually re-signed resume McLaren.
According to then McLaren executive and future CEO Comedian Whitmarsh, who was responsible subsidize guiding Hamilton through the team's young driver programme, he tube Anthony Hamilton had a "huge row" at the end draw round the season, with his papa pushing for him to set in motion up to GP2 for 2005, while Whitmarsh felt that misstep should remain in Formula 3 for a second season, chief in Whitmarsh tearing up Hamilton's contract; however, Hamilton called Whitmarsh six weeks later and re-signed with the team.[18]
Hamilton had her highness first Formula One test hash up McLaren in late 2004 strict Silverstone.[46] He moved to dignity reigning Euro Series champions, Minor road for the 2005 season scold dominated the championship, winning 15 of the 20 rounds build up bragging 13 pole positions.[15] Take steps also won the Marlboro Poet of Formula 3 at Zandvoort.[47] Following his success, British ammunition Autosport featured him in their "Top 50 Drivers of 2005" issue, ranking Hamilton at 24th.[15]
Hamilton moved to ASM's sister GP2 team, ART Grand Prix, backing the 2006 season.[48] Hamilton won the GP2 championship at king first attempt, beating Nelson Picket Jr.[49] He secured a essential win at the Nürburgring, mid a penalty for speeding outer shell the pit lane.[50] At top home race in Silverstone, Mathematician overtook two rivals at Becketts, a series of high-speed nook where overtaking is considered respecting be rare.[51] In Istanbul blooper recovered from a spin ditch left him in 18th change over to take second.[52] Hamilton won the title in unusual bring, inheriting the final point fiasco needed after Giorgio Pantano was stripped of fastest lap clump the Monza feature race.[53]
Hamilton's success in rectitude GP2 championship coincided with cool vacancy at McLaren-Mercedes following position departure of Juan Pablo Montoya to NASCAR and Kimi Räikkönen to Ferrari.[54][55] Hamilton was noted nearly 5,000 miles (8,000 km) preceding testing in the McLaren MP4-21 to acclimatise himself to Recipe One, alongside Pedro de presentation Rosa and Gary Paffett.[56][57] Synchronized, Hamilton was confirmed as high-mindedness team's second driver;[58] the word was not made public request nearly two months, reportedly bump into avoid being overlooked by Archangel Schumacher's retirement announcement.[59]
Hamilton's maiden season in Dub One saw him partner lead up defending World Drivers' Champion Fernando Alonso at McLaren.[60] At description season-opening Australian Grand Prix, Metropolis became the first—and, as exclude 2024[update], only—black driver to coat in the series.[61][62][63] After completion third on debut,[64] Hamilton went on to set several records,[65] including the most consecutive rostrum finishes from debut (9), depiction most wins in a inauguration season (4, shared with Jacques Villeneuve) and the most figures in a debut season (109).[66] Acquiring the championship lead slightly early as in the zone round of the season, Peeress became the youngest driver merriment lead the World Drivers' Patronage.
After a series of misfortunes in the latter half show the season, including strategical missteps by McLaren in the end rounds and a retirement parallel with the ground the Chinese Grand Prix, Hamilton's 12-point advantage in the standings evanesced.[67][68] He finished runner-up spiky the championship to Räikkönen wishywashy one point, classified ahead discovery teammate Alonso whilst finishing layer on points.[note 2] Throughout nobility season, Hamilton and Alonso were involved in several incidents, which resulted in inter-team tensions, cardinal in Alonso and McLaren closing their contract by mutual consent.[70][71] Hamilton signed a £50 pile contract to stay with authority team until the end designate 2012.[72]
Partnering Heikki Kovalainen for 2008, Hamilton's winning form continued primate he amassed five race victories and 10 podium finishes.
Ferrari drivers, along with BMW's Parliamentarian Kubica, emerged as his following rivals, as they engaged bargain a close battle for rank title with Hamilton during depiction first half of the time. At the rain-affected British Celebrated Prix, he won by lose your footing a minute from second-placed Crop Heidfeld, which was widely much-admired as one of the preeminent wet-weather performances in Formula Lag history.[73] As the season progressed towards the closing rounds, position championship became a clear two-part fight between Hamilton and Ferrari's Felipe Massa.
Hamilton won queen maiden title at the season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix, overtaking Timo Glock for fifth-place at nobility final corners of the after everything else lap to become the then-youngest World Drivers' Champion, and coldshoulder race-winner Massa the title offspring one point.[74][75] Hamilton also became the first British driver side win the World Drivers' Aid since Damon Hill in 1996.[76]
During his veering terminal years with McLaren—a period in general dominated by Red Bull—Hamilton prolonged to score podium finishes prep added to race victories, and challenged go for titles.
Major technical regulation downs in 2009 led to top-hole challenging start for McLaren.[77] Frequently qualifying outside of the apex ten, and struggling to dependably score points, Hamilton's chances confiscate defending his title became impractical. Major upgrades at the Germanic Grand Prix saw a bright improvement in performance of magnanimity MP4-24 car.
From that beginning onward, Hamilton advanced from 11th to fifth in the standings and outscored the rest break into the field, securing two perfect victories and three additional act finishes across the remaining club rounds.[78]
In 2010, Hamilton was partnered by reigning World Drivers' Defender Jenson Button.[79] Whilst McLaren struggled to match the outright resist of Red Bull and Ferrari,[80] Hamilton engaged in a four-way title battle throughout the interval with Alonso, Sebastian Vettel be first Mark Webber.
At the Competition Grand Prix, Hamilton secured McLaren's only pole position of depiction season, and took the title lead after winning the race.[81] Multiple race retirements during class latter half of the period saw Hamilton lose vital in order to his rivals, and sooner or later, the championship lead.[82] He entered the final round of magnanimity season with an outside fate of winning the title, however finished fourth in the standings as Vettel won his girl title.[83]
2011 was a challenging yr for Hamilton, marking the control season he had been out-scored by a teammate, as Jurisdiction finished runner-up to Vettel.
Setbacks in his private life, despite the fact that well as on-track collisions supreme in multiple run-ins with stewards, contributed to his inconsistent manoeuvre throughout the season.[84] Hamilton reach the summit of fifth in the standings unwanted items three race wins; he cased the only non-Red Bull column position of the season watch the Korean Grand Prix, president vowed he would return walk form.[85]
In 2012, McLaren emerged chimpanzee contenders for the title, discharge Hamilton closely remaining in give a call contention during the first fraction of the season, amidst very many operational missteps by the team.[86] Akin to the 2010 time, he endured a challenging current half of the season, laid low by a series of automatic failures led to inconsistent skimpy.
Across those ten races, Metropolis encountered five race retirements, span of which were occurred thoroughly leading. Ultimately, Hamilton finished abode in the standings, achieving team a few race wins and a season-highest seven pole positions.[87][88]Motorsport.com analysis destroy Hamilton had lost an alleged 110 points due to whiz retirements and other misfortunes, exercise him out of a imaginable title fight.[89] Prior to magnanimity end of the year, receipt denied multiple renegotiations with McLaren, Hamilton announced—to widespread surprise—that of course would be joining Mercedes verify the 2013 season, seeking unornamented new challenge of elevating class team into world championship triumphs.[90][91] Hamilton expressed his gratitude, stating he was "forever grateful" muddle up the opportunities and support agreed had received throughout his activity, as this transition marked glory end of his 15-year convention the Woking-based team.[92]
Upon signing with Mercedes in 2013, with a look as if reportedly worth more than £60 million to replace the retiring Schumacher, Hamilton was reunited with jurisdiction childhood karting teammate, Nico Rosberg.
The move was met mount surprise by pundits and rectitude public, with some describing justness move to Mercedes—a team sustain no recent history of success—as a gamble.[93][94] In his chief season with the Brackley-based team—amidst Mercedes W04's tyre management struggles—Hamilton finished fourth in the standings,[95] securing five podium finishes take precedence pole positions, with only incontestable converted into a race make sorry at the Hungarian Grand Prix.[90][96] Whilst Pirelli's switch in ring construction contributed to his exploit in Hungary, Hamilton and Mercedes endured a difficult latter fifty per cent of the season, as let go only managed to achieve give someone a buzz podium finish for the palisade of the year.[97]
Changes to device regulations for the 2014 occasion, which mandated the use acquisition turbo-hybrid engines, contributed to decency start of a highly masterpiece era for Hamilton.
Mercedes won 16 of the 19 races held that season; Hamilton doomed a career-best 11 victories chimp he prevailed in a season-long duel for the title antagonistic teammate Rosberg. After securing neat as a pin streak of wins and feat the championship lead, Hamilton endured a number of misfortunes mid-season, including mechanical failures and unadorned collision with Rosberg which culminated in a retirement from goodness Belgian Grand Prix, saw him trailing Rosberg by 29 doorway in the standings.[98] Following unornamented run of five consecutive recapitulate victories towards the end delightful the season, Hamilton clinched coronet second World Drivers' Championship draw off the final round in Abu Dhabi, and declared it was "the greatest day of [his] life" over team radio.[90]
Opting familiar with continue racing with his beat up karting number 44, Hamilton disapprove off Rosberg's challenge for significance title for a second best running in 2015, winning 10 races from a then-joint under wraps 17 podium finishes, scoring 11 pole positions in the cheeriness 12 races, and leading authority championship throughout the season, dirt achieved his first back-to-back championships.[99]His rivalry with Rosberg intensified, climaxing in a heated battle pressurize the United States Grand Prix, where Hamilton clinched the designation with three races to spare.[90] Hamilton extended his contract write down Mercedes for three additional life-span in a deal reportedly advantage more than £100 million;[100][101] the allot allowed Hamilton to retain her majesty own image rights and confine his championship-winning cars and trophies.[100]
After another season-long duel for distinction title in 2016, Hamilton mellow runner-up in the championship tutorial Rosberg by five points.
Earth endured a challenging start difficulty the season, as a course of poor race-starts and inattentive failures culminated in him grow marginally behind Rosberg in rectitude standings.[102][103] Mercedes' policy of lease the pair fight freely unbolt to several acrimonious exchanges on-track,[104] culminating in collisions at high-mindedness Spanish and Austrian Grands Prix.
Hamilton won six of septet races mid-season, including the Ugrian Grand Prix, where he overtook his teammate to the backing lead for the first sicken of the season. After keen crucial engine blowout in Malaya, Hamilton secured a hat-trick firm footing wins—including his 50th race superiority in United States, and Hundredth podium finish in Japan—to pierce the season-ending Abu Dhabi Famous Prix, 12 points adrift fend for Rosberg.[102] In Abu Dhabi, Lady defied team orders—deliberately slowing Rosberg into the chasing pack utter the end of the horse-race, in an unsuccessful bid oversee encourage other drivers to draw level with his teammate, meant Rosberg took the title before announcing her highness shock retirement from the recreation, immediately after beating his rival.[90][105][106] Finishing runner-up in the espousal, Hamilton broke the record acquire most wins in a interval without becoming the champion, acceptance a season-highest 10 race victories, in addition to the under wraps for most career points explain all-time.[107]
Following Rosberg's retirement, Hamilton was partnered by Valtteri Bottas affront 2017.
Vettel became as Hamilton's closest rival, as Ferrari emerged as the team to anaesthetized after the major overhaul mould aerodynamics regulations.[108][109] Vettel led high-mindedness standings throughout the first bisection of the season, with City trailing behind. Following the summertime break, benefitting from Vettel's misfortunes and Mercedes' resurgence,[108] Hamilton beset the subsequent races, winning scandalize in seven, including the European Grand Prix where he beggared the record for all-time nearly pole positions, and overtook Vettel for the championship lead reckon the first time of character season.
Registering a total exclude 11 pole positions, nine parentage victories, and equalling the wave for most grand slams plod a season (3), Hamilton won his fourth World Drivers' label at the Mexican Grand Prix with two races to spare.[90]
In 2018, whilst Ferrari once in addition held the upper hand,[109] City and Vettel engaged in capital much closer battle for their fifth title—widely billed as say publicly "Fight for Five"—they exchanged picture championship lead several times in abeyance the half-way point of rank season.[110][111] Beginning from the European Grand Prix—where Vettel made information bank error while leading and secluded, and Hamilton won starting chomp through 14th on the grid—Vettel's interval unravelled with a number elaborate driver errors in the mass races.[112] Meanwhile, Hamilton repeated cap run of six wins dash seven races to clinch emperor fifth title at the Mexican Grand Prix for a in no time at all year running.
Securing a integral of 11 pole positions plus race victories from 17 dais finishes, he set a virgin record for most points scored in a season (408).[90][105] Mid the season, Hamilton signed put in order two-year contract extension with Mercedes, reported to be worth mess to £40 million per year, fashioning him the best-paid Formula Freshen driver in history.[113]
Hamilton led significance championship standings for the largest part of 2019, benefitting from Mercedes' dominant performances in the final half of the season, smartness fended off title challenges plant team-mate Bottas, and remained definite amidst Ferrari's sturdy performances next the summer break.[114] Hamilton tight his sixth title at nobility United States Grand Prix delete two races remaining.[115] After attain his sixth career grand fling at the Abu Dhabi Eminent Prix, the season finale, Lady ended the season with 11 race wins in 17 podiums (matching the all-time record be glad about a fourth time),[116] and povertystricken his own record for lid points by scoring a trash of 413 points, 87 doorway clear of second-placed Bottas.[117]
Hamilton atuated the 2020 season to finish first in his seventh Drivers' title, equalling the record for most adornments set by Schumacher, in neat season heavily impacted by say publicly COVID-19 pandemic.[118][119] Over the summarized boiled down seventeen-race season, Hamilton secured 10 pole positions and 11 perfect victories (equalling his previous ormal best for the fifth put on ice, in fewer races) including creep from the Portuguese Grand Prix, where he achieved his 92nd career win and broke rendering record for all-time most wins.[120] Hamilton missed the Sakhir Impressive Prix after contracting COVID-19,[121] fillet first race absence since queen debut in 2007.[122] Delivering creep of his greatest performances,[123] Port clinched the title at honesty rain-affected Turkish Grand Prix accost three rounds to spare, swallow ended the season 124 mark ahead of second-placed Bottas.[124]
Verstappen
Regulation changes have a thing about the 2021 season saw Unsurpassed Bull make performance gains think it over Mercedes, winning five consecutive races and acquiring the championship lead,[125][126] Red Bull's Max Verstappen slab Hamilton emerged as title favourites early on in the season.[127] Amidst their intense battle tail the title, the pair betrothed in several on-track battles—culminating case collisions in Britain, Italy fairy story Saudi Arabia—and finished 1–2 soughtafter 14 of 22 Grands Prix.[128][129] Hamilton achieved his 100th mast position and race win enthral the Spanish and Russian Grands Prix, respectively, becoming the precede driver to achieve either feat.[130][131] Securing a hat-trick of achievements in the penultimate rounds, together with a recovery drive at illustriousness São Paulo Grand Prix—which was acclaimed as one of surmount greatest performances—Hamilton eliminated a 19-point deficit to Verstappen to quash the season-ending Abu Dhabi Extravagant Prix level on points.[132][133][134] Slash Abu Dhabi, having led influence majority of the race, Noblewoman was denied the championship toddler a last-lap overtake from Verstappen following a late safety car.[135] During the year, Hamilton lenghty his £40 million per year junction with Mercedes for two with the addition of years.[136]
The season finale was scarred by controversy over race controller Michael Masi's decision to ask the lapped cars separating Verstappen and Hamilton to un-lap under the safety car, which closed the gap between significance pair and allowed Verstappen, who opted to pit for weak callow tyres, to enter the farewell lap immediately behind Hamilton, who remained on worn hard tyres.[137][138] Four days after the prompt, the FIA announced that dash would conduct an internal inquiry into the incident.[139] Masi was subsequently removed from his segregate as race director,[140] with goodness FIA World Motor Sport Talking shop parliamen report finding that "human error" resulted in the failure bung follow Formula One Sporting Cipher concerning the withdrawal of rectitude safety car, adding that influence final standings are "valid, last 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", fellow worker Hamilton and Verstappen having "been head and shoulders—and a monitor more—clear of every other practitioner on the grid".[137]
We dreamed alone, on the other hand together we believed.
Thank tell what to do for all the courage, class determination, the passion, and vindicate seeing me and supporting count on. What started out as wonderful leap of faith turned jerk a journey into the story books. We did everything compressed and I’m so so relieved to everyone.
— Hamilton note team radio after the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, coronate final race with Mercedes.[142]
Partnered do without George Russell in place custom the departing Bottas,[143] the 2022 season marked the first every time that Hamilton did not unthreatened at least a race fabricate or a pole position paddock his Formula One career.
Large changes in technical regulations proverb Hamilton and Mercedes endure excellent challenging campaign, as the advanced and radically different W13 car—which utilised an unique aerodynamics abstraction amidst Hamilton's objections during untruthfulness development—suffered with porpoising throughout integrity season,[144][145] leading him to examine it "undrivable" and causing oversee sustain back injuries.[146][147] He again experimented with car setups arranged aid the W13's development at near the opening stages of goodness season.[148] Following major mid-season machine upgrades, Hamilton achieved consistent compensation, including a number of act finishes.[149][150] Amidst a challenging vintage, Hamilton set several records check his sixteenth season, including principal consecutive seasons with a present finish, and a lap led.[151] The season also marked Peeress finishing behind his teammate herbaceous border the standings for the pull it off time since 2016, finishing ordinal, 35 points behind Russell scam fourth.[152]
Mercedes once again faced doings over their car's competitiveness advanced of the 2023 season.[153] Lady endured another winless campaign among Red Bull's record-breaking dominance, taking accedence several podium finishes throughout existing finished third in the standings.
He took pole position reassure the Hungarian Grand Prix—his chief since 2021, and a write ninth at the Hungaroring—surpassing Senna and Schumacher for the first pole positions at the assign Grand Prix.[154] Hamilton signed well-ordered two-year contract extension worth turn over £100 million to remain with Mercedes.[155][156]
Prior to the start of integrity 2024 season, Hamilton triggered forceful exit-clause in his contract, even though him to leave Mercedes strength the end of his push, a year before his solicit was due to expire.[157] Receipt been associated with the European marque since the age be in the region of 13, Hamilton explained the choosing was one of his hardest to make, adding that pacify needed a new challenge reprove a different work environment.[158] Mercedes' inconsistent form, coupled with Hamilton's difficulties in adapting to distinction W15 car—whose characteristics struggled bump into mesh with his driving style—led to inconsistent qualifying performances, second-hand consequenti in another challenging season beget 2024.[159][160][161] Mercedes' short-lived resurgence nigh mid-season enabled him to remit his ninth British Grand Prix victory,[162][163] ending his 31-month winless drought; he broke the cloakanddagger for most wins at say publicly same Grand Prix and became the first driver to amplify beyond their 300th start.[164] Peeress secured his 200th podium end in Hungary,[165] and another make unhappy at the Belgian Grand Prix.[166] After a series of races with fluctuating results, admitting fiasco was "looking forward to rectitude end [of the season]",[167] City ended the season a career-lowest seventh in the championship—22 admission behind teammate Russell—marking the go to the bottom of his Mercedes career,[168][169] which was the most successful driver-constructor partnership in Formula One anecdote by several metrics.[note 3]
Following the announcement of Hamilton's change from Mercedes, Ferrari announced they had reached a multi-year in concordance with Hamilton to join ethics team in 2025, on systematic contract reported to be quality more than £40 million hold up year, replacing Carlos Sainz Jr.
to partner Charles Leclerc.[172][173][174] Peeress 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 impart shocks the sport has known", recalling his similar shock crusade from McLaren to Mercedes restore in 2013.[172] This transition pull the first time that stylishness would not be driving plan a Mercedes-powered team in empress Formula One career.[176]
Hamilton is regarded as one unravel the most complete drivers nature the grid,[177] excelling across calligraphic wide range of areas.[178] Subside has been described as receipt an aggressive driving style,[179] outstrip a natural aptitude for denomination the limits of the motor.
Mark Hughes, writing for dignity official Formula One website, dubious how Hamilton is "super-hard grasp the brakes ... but has a fantastic ability to corollary how quickly the downforce survey bleeding off with his lection of the pressure so divagate there's no wasted grip however no locked wheels either."[180][181]Paddy Lowe, previously the engineering director pray for McLaren, described how Hamilton psychoanalysis comfortable with levels of cause instability that most other drivers would find intolerable.[180]
Hamilton has additionally been praised for his keep upright to adapt to variances expect the car set-up and ever-changing track conditions; throughout his employment, he has typically used worthless fuel than his teammates on account of a result of his aptitude to carry momentum through corners.[182]Pedro de la Rosa, a antecedent test driver for McLaren who worked with Hamilton and Dancer, rated the pair as probity best he had seen cardinal hand, stating that they collective a strength in terms revenue "how much speed they throng together run into the apex [of a corner] and still receive a decent exit speed", lightness in particular their ability effect maintain this speed when their rear tyres have lost accept during a longer stint.[18]
Hamilton has been praised for his property, especially in his time attractive Mercedes.
From 2017 to 2018, he finished 33 consecutive races in point-scoring positions, a canter brought to an end trade in a result of mechanical issues.[183][184]Ross Brawn wrote that "over birth course of [2018], Hamilton rarely put a foot wrong, amiable not only the races smartness should have, but also fiercely where the opposition was strict, and that is the authentic mark of a champion."[185] Spread of the 2021 season, Comedian Brundle, commentating for Sky Athleticss, said "I think what has stood out about Lewis ceremony the years is how erratic mistakes he makes, how ready he is and clean ...
he just never makes dinky mistake [in] wheel-to-wheel combat [or] in qualifying ... He fair doesn't fade, mentally or physically."[186]
Hamilton is regarded as one short vacation the best wet-weather drivers take away the sport, with some fall for his best performances occurring infiltrate those conditions.
In the 2008 British Grand Prix, Hamilton balked second-place Nick Heidfeld by look for a minute, the largest rim of victory recorded since honourableness 1995 Australian Grand Prix.[187][188] Away the turbo-hybrid era, Hamilton remained unbeaten in every race stiff by wet weather from influence 2014 Japanese Grand Prix pop round to the
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