Lewis Hamilton

Lewis Carl Davidson Hamilton was born on 7 January 1985 in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, England. Raised in a working-class family, he showed an early passion for motorsport, beginning karting at just six years old. His talent quickly became evident as he won multiple national titles, catching the eye of Ron Dennis, who signed him to the McLaren-Mercedes Young Driver Programme in 1998. This pivotal move marked the start of a meteoric rise through junior racing categories. Hamilton’s ascent was swift and decorated. After dominating karting with victories in the Karting World Cup and European Championship in 2000, he transitioned to single-seaters, claiming the Formula 3 Euro Series title and later the GP2 Series championship. These achievements positioned him perfectly for a Formula One debut. In 2007, he joined McLaren, becoming the first black driver to race in the sport at the Australian Grand Prix. His rookie season was historic: he won four Grands Prix, finished runner-up by a single point, and set multiple records. The following year, Hamilton clinched his maiden world title in dramatic fashion, overtaking Timo Glock on the final lap of the Brazilian Grand Prix to become the then-youngest champion. However, his time at McLaren saw him locked in fierce battles with teammates and rivals, including a four-way title fight in 2010. Despite strong performances, Red Bull’s dominance limited his success, prompting a move to Mercedes in 2013. With Mercedes, Hamilton entered an era of unprecedented success. The introduction of new engine regulations in 2014 transformed the team into a powerhouse. Over the next three seasons, he and Nico Rosberg—his former karting teammate—won 51 of 59 Grands Prix in what became known as the “Silver War.” Hamilton claimed back-to-back titles in 2014 and 2015, while Rosberg secured the 2016 crown before retiring abruptly. Hamilton then overcame mid-season deficits to Sebastian Vettel, winning his fourth and fifth championships in 2017 and 2018. His legacy solidified in 2020 when he broke Michael Schumacher’s record with a seventh world title, equalling the all-time mark. That same year, he shattered the all-time win record at the Portuguese Grand Prix. By 2021, Hamilton became the first driver to surpass 100 career wins and pole positions, though controversy marred his season finale against Max Verstappen. After two winless years with Mercedes in 2022 and 2023, he ended his tenure with a record-breaking ninth British Grand Prix victory in 2024—his twelfth and final season with the team. Now with Ferrari since 2025, Hamilton is contracted until at least the end of 2026. Beyond racing, he has leveraged his global fame into a substantial fortune, earning over $50 million annually from endorsements and salaries. Brands like Puma, Monster Energy, and Tommy Hilfiger have contributed significantly to his wealth, alongside his own ventures such as the TMRW Foundation. Off the track, Hamilton lives in Geneva with his family and remains a vocal advocate for racial justice and environmental sustainability. Knighted in the 2021 New Year Honours, he continues to redefine excellence in motorsport.