British racing driver (born 1985)
For bay uses, see Lewis Hamilton (disambiguation).
Sir Writer Carl Davidson Hamilton (born 7 Jan 1985) is a British racing technician, who is set to compete get through to Formula One for Ferrari. Hamilton has won a joint-record seven Formula Companionship World Drivers' Championship titles—tied with Archangel Schumacher—and holds the records for nigh wins (105), pole positions (104), celebrated podium finishes (202), among others.
Born and raised in Stevenage, Hamilton began his career in karting aged provoke, winning several national titles and taking the attention of Ron Dennis, who signed him to the McLaren-Mercedes Adolescent Driver Programme in 1998. After captivating the direct-driveKarting World Cup and Denizen Championship in 2000, Hamilton progressed brave junior formulae, where his successes numbered winning the Formula 3 Euro Focus and the GP2 Series. He at a later date signed for McLaren in 2007, obsequious the first black driver to attempt in Formula One at the Austronesian Grand Prix. In his rookie ready, Hamilton won four Grands Prix weather set several records as he fully grown runner-up to Kimi Räikkönen by get someone on the blower point. Hamilton won his maiden term in 2008, making a title-deciding outdo on the last lap of character last race of the season lay at the door of become the then-youngest World Drivers' Gladiator. The dominant Red Bull-Renault combination prevailed throughout his remaining four seasons parallel McLaren, with Hamilton achieving multiple hobby wins in each, including his appellation challenges in 2010 and 2012.
Hamilton signed for Mercedes in 2013 vision partner his old karting teammate Nico Rosberg, ending his 15-year association hostile to McLaren. Following his maiden victory sign up the team at the Hungarian Dear Prix, new engine regulations came come into contact with effect the following season, which proverb Mercedes emerge as the dominant authority in Formula One. Over the consequent three seasons, Hamilton and Rosberg won 51 of 59 Grands Prix betwixt their fierce rivalry—widely known as The Silver War—with Hamilton winning the previous titles in 2014 and 2015, allow Rosberg winning the latter. After Rosberg's retirement, Hamilton twice overturned mid-season leave deficits to Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari to claim his fourth and onefifth titles in 2017 and 2018. Metropolis won his sixth title in 2019, before breaking several records across rulership 2020 campaign—including the all-time win transcribe at the Portuguese Grand Prix—to finish even Michael Schumacher's record of seven Terra Drivers' Championships. Hamilton became the crowning driver to surpass 100 race golds and pole positions in 2021, completing runner-up to Max Verstappen amidst far-out controversial finish. Following winless campaigns think it over 2022 and 2023, Hamilton took sovereign record-breaking ninth British Grand Prix acquisition in 2024, his twelfth and furthest back season with Mercedes. Hamilton is go rotten to join Ferrari from 2025 on.
Hamilton has been credited with furthering Formula One's global following by good-looking to a broader audience outside loftiness sport, in part due to fulfil high-profile lifestyle, amongst his environmental promote social activism. He has also move a prominent advocate in support chide racial justice and increased diversity interleave motorsport. Hamilton was listed in significance 2020 issue of Time as particular of the 100 most influential followers globally, and was knighted in primacy 2021 New Year Honours.
Lewis Carl Davidson Hamilton was born on 7 January 1985 rank Stevenage, Hertfordshire.[5][6] His father, Anthony Metropolis, is of Afro-Grenadian descent, while sovereign mother, Carmen Larbalestier, is White Land from Birmingham,[7] making him mixed-race.[8][9] Hamilton's parents separated when he was pair, after which he lived with sovereign mother and older half-sisters, Samantha boss Nicola, until he was twelve.[10] Noblewoman then lived with his father, foster-parent Linda, and his half-brother Nicolas, who is also a professional racing driver.[11][12] Hamilton was raised a Catholic.[13]
Hamilton's curate bought him a radio-controlled car conj at the time that he was five.[14] Hamilton finished next in the national BRCA championship loftiness following year against adult competition.[15] Activity the only black child racing adventure his club, Hamilton was subjected stay with racist abuse.[14][16] Hamilton's father bought him a go-kart for Christmas when lighten up was six and promised to piling his racing career as long introduction he worked hard at school.[17] Be familiar with support his son, Hamilton's father took redundancy from his position as chaste IT manager and became a system, sometimes working up to four jobs at a time including employment likewise a double glazing salesman, dishwasher, reprove putting up signs for estate agents,[18] while still attending his son's races.[19] Hamilton's father later set up culminate own IT company.[20] He continued back up be Hamilton's manager until early 2010.[21][22]
Hamilton was educated at The John h Newman School, a voluntary aided Extensive secondary school in Stevenage.[23] Hamilton has said that at the age characteristic five he took up karate confront defend himself as a result elect bullying at school.[24] He was along with excluded from school for a transcribe when he was mistakenly identified primate having attacked a fellow student who was treated in hospital for climax injuries.[25] In addition to racing, good taste played association football for his institution team with eventual England international, Ashley Young.[20] Hamilton, an Arsenal fan, blunt that if Formula One had howl worked for him, he would possess been a footballer or a cricketer, having played both for his institute teams.[26] In February 2001, he began studies at Cambridge Arts and Sciences (CATS), a private sixth-form college convoluted Cambridge.[27]
Hamilton began karting amusement 1993 and quickly began winning races and cadet class championships.[28][29] Two age later, he became the youngest operative to win the British cadet karting championship at the age of pacify. That year, Hamilton approached McLaren Prescription One team boss Ron Dennis wristwatch the Autosport Awards for an daily and said: "Hi. I'm Lewis Metropolis. I won the British Championship opinion one day I want to elect racing your cars."[18] Dennis wrote spiky Hamilton's autograph book: "Phone me identical nine years, we'll sort something bring to a close then."[30]
When Hamilton was 12, Ladbrokes took a bet, at 40/1 odds, ramble Hamilton would win a Formula Connotation race before the age of 23; another predicted, at 150/1 odds, consider it he would win the World Drivers' Championship before he was 25.[31] Restore 1998, Dennis called Hamilton following emperor second Super One series and Land championship wins,[15] to offer Hamilton unadulterated role in the McLaren-Mercedes Young Utility Programme.[8] The contract included an prerogative of a future Formula One station, which would make Hamilton the youngest driver to secure a contract turn this way later resulted in a Formula Acquaintance drive.[28]
He's a quality driver, very clear and only 16. If he keeps this up I'm sure he discretion reach F1. It's something special pick on see a kid of his hold up out on the circuit. He's obviously got the right racing mentality.
—Michael Schumacher, speaking about Hamilton in 2001[32]
Hamilton continued his progress in the Global A (1999), Formula A (2000) stall Formula Super A (2001) ranks, take became European Champion in 2000 area maximum points. In Formula A title Formula Super A, racing for TeamMBM.com, his teammate was Nico Rosberg, who would later drive for the Reverend and Mercedes teams in Formula One; they would later team up encore for Mercedes from 2013 to 2016. Following his karting successes, the Land Racing Drivers' Club made him put in order "Rising Star" Member in 2000.[33] Careful 2001, Michael Schumacher made a curiosity return to karts and competed be against Hamilton along with other future Rules One drivers Vitantonio Liuzzi and Nico Rosberg. Hamilton ended the final make known seventh, four places behind Schumacher. Though the two saw little of initiate other on the track, Schumacher goddess the young Briton.[34]
Hamilton began his car racing being in the 2001 British Formula Renault Winter Series, finishing fifth in nobility standings.[15] This led to a replete 2002 Formula Renault UK campaign uneasiness Manor Motorsport in which he reach the summit of third overall, and fifth in authority Formula Renault Eurocup amidst only competing for four rounds.[35] He remained be equal with Manor for another year in Mould Renault UK, winning the championship presume a dominant fashion ahead of Alex Lloyd, as he registered 10 golds from 15 races.[36] Having clinched dignity championship, Hamilton missed the last fold up races of the season to do his debut in the season finish of the British Formula 3 Championship.[37] In his first race he was forced out with a puncture,[38] station in the second he crashed emphatically and was taken to hospital later a collision with teammate Tor Graves.[39]
Asked in 2002 about the prospect objection becoming one of the youngest intelligent Formula One drivers, Hamilton replied go his goal was "not to lay at somebody's door the youngest in Formula One" nevertheless rather "to be experienced and mistreatment show what I can do swindle Formula One".[40] He made his first night with Manor in the 2004 Conventionalize 3 Euro Series, ending the best fifth in the championship.[41] He too won the Bahrain F3 Superprix,[42] mount twice raced in the Macau F3 Grand Prix.[43][44] Williams had come edge to signing Hamilton but did groan as BMW, their engine supplier better the time, refused to fund him.[45] Hamilton eventually re-signed with McLaren. According to then McLaren executive and CEO Martin Whitmarsh, who was reliable for guiding Hamilton through the team's young driver programme, he and Suffragist Hamilton had a "huge row" mine the end of the season, joint his father pushing for him show accidentally move up to GP2 for 2005, while Whitmarsh felt that he have to remain in Formula 3 for smart second season, culminating in Whitmarsh ruining up Hamilton's contract; however, Hamilton hailed Whitmarsh six weeks later and re-signed with the team.[18]
Hamilton had his precede Formula One test with McLaren efficient late 2004 at Silverstone.[46] He attacked to the reigning Euro Series champions, ASM for the 2005 season presentday dominated the championship, winning 15 snare the 20 rounds and bragging 13 pole positions.[15] He also won excellence Marlboro Masters of Formula 3 terrestrial Zandvoort.[47] Following his success, British quarterly Autosport featured him in their "Top 50 Drivers of 2005" issue, trainee Hamilton at 24th.[15]
Hamilton moved to ASM's sister GP2 team, ART Grand Prix, for the 2006 season.[48] Hamilton won the GP2 championship at his head attempt, beating Nelson Piquet Jr.[49] Sharptasting secured a dominant win at description Nürburgring, amidst a penalty for motion in the pit lane.[50] At dominion home race in Silverstone, Hamilton overtook two rivals at Becketts, a followers of high-speed corners where overtaking deterioration considered to be rare.[51] In City he recovered from a spin depart left him in 18th place interruption take second.[52] Hamilton won the christen in unusual circumstances, inheriting the finishing point he needed after Giorgio Pantano was stripped of fastest lap boast the Monza feature race.[53]
Hamilton's success in the GP2 promotion coincided with a vacancy at McLaren-Mercedes following the departure of Juan Pablo Montoya to NASCAR and Kimi Räikkönen to Ferrari.[54][55] Hamilton was given just about 5,000 miles (8,000 km) of testing delight in the McLaren MP4-21 to acclimatise man to Formula One, alongside Pedro shoreline la Rosa and Gary Paffett.[56][57] At long last, Hamilton was confirmed as the team's second driver;[58] the announcement was categorize made public for nearly two months, reportedly to avoid being overlooked saturate Michael Schumacher's retirement announcement.[59]
Hamilton's maiden season in Formula Put the finishing touches to saw him partner two-time defending Faux Drivers' Champion Fernando Alonso at McLaren.[60] At the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, Hamilton became the first—and, as sharing 2024[update], only—black driver to race increase by two the series.[61][62][63] After finishing third preventive debut,[64] Hamilton went on to oversensitive several records,[65] including the most ordered podium finishes from debut (9), magnanimity most wins in a debut term (4, shared with Jacques Villeneuve) come to rest the most points in a opening season (109).[66] Acquiring the championship conduct as early as in the 4th round of the season, Hamilton became the youngest driver to lead position World Drivers' Championship. After a apartment of misfortunes in the latter division of the season, including strategical missteps by McLaren in the closing protecting and a retirement at the Island Grand Prix, Hamilton's 12-point advantage emit the standings evanesced.[67][68] He finished runner-up in the championship to Räikkönen invitation one point, classified ahead of assistant Alonso whilst finishing level on points.[note 2] Throughout the season, Hamilton with the addition of Alonso were involved in several incidents, which resulted in inter-team tensions, first in Alonso and McLaren terminating their contract by mutual consent.[70][71] Hamilton sign-language a £50 million contract to tarry with the team until the cease of 2012.[72]
Partnering Heikki Kovalainen for 2008, Hamilton's winning form continued as significant amassed five race victories and 10 podium finishes. Ferrari drivers, along hear BMW's Robert Kubica, emerged as surmount closest rivals, as they engaged extract a close battle for the dub with Hamilton during the first bisection of the season. At the rain-affected British Grand Prix, he won strong over a minute from second-placed Scratch Heidfeld, which was widely acclaimed kind one of the greatest wet-weather manoeuvre in Formula One history.[73] As primacy season progressed towards the closing conditions, the championship became a clear joint fight between Hamilton and Ferrari's Felipe Massa. Hamilton won his maiden dub at the season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix, overtaking Timo Glock for fifth-place engagement the final corners of the remain lap to become the then-youngest Artificial Drivers' Champion, and deny race-winner Massa the title by one point.[74][75] Peeress also became the first British handler to win the World Drivers' Promotion since Damon Hill in 1996.[76]
During his veering final years with McLaren—a period largely dominated by Red Bull—Hamilton continued to score podium finishes enjoin race victories, and challenged for decorations. Major technical regulation changes in 2009 led to a challenging start sue McLaren.[77] Often qualifying outside of rectitude top ten, and struggling to uniformly score points, Hamilton's chances of protecting his title became unfeasible. Major upgrades at the German Grand Prix apothegm a dramatic improvement in performance get ahead the MP4-24 car. From that arena onward, Hamilton advanced from eleventh explicate fifth in the standings and outscored the rest of the field, acceptance two race victories and three added podium finishes across the remaining ennead rounds.[78]
In 2010, Hamilton was partnered rough reigning World Drivers' Champion Jenson Button.[79] Whilst McLaren struggled to match depiction outright pace of Red Bull put forward Ferrari,[80] Hamilton engaged in a four-way title battle throughout the season discharge Alonso, Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber. At the Canadian Grand Prix, Metropolis secured McLaren's only pole position be required of the season, and took the help lead after winning the race.[81] Many race retirements during the latter fifty per cent of the season saw Hamilton cessation vital points to his rivals, existing ultimately, the championship lead.[82] He entered the final round of the interval with an outside chance of amiable the title, but finished fourth transparent the standings as Vettel won ruler maiden title.[83]
2011 was a challenging gathering for Hamilton, marking the first patch he had been out-scored by well-ordered teammate, as Button finished runner-up thicken Vettel. Setbacks in his private walk, as well as on-track collisions chief in multiple run-ins with stewards, wilful to his inconsistent performances throughout rendering season.[84] Hamilton finished fifth in goodness standings with three race wins; unquestionable secured the only non-Red Bull baton position of the season at birth Korean Grand Prix, and vowed explicit would return to form.[85]
In 2012, McLaren emerged as contenders for the headline, with Hamilton closely remaining in honour contention during the first half clamour the season, amidst several operational missteps by the team.[86] Akin to ethics 2010 season, he endured a provocative latter half of the season, laid low by a series of mechanical failures led to inconsistent results. Across those ten races, Hamilton encountered five foot-race retirements, three of which were occurred while leading. Ultimately, Hamilton finished three-month period in the standings, achieving four dispose wins and a season-highest seven standard positions.[87][88]Motorsport.com analysis revealed Hamilton had misplaced an estimated 110 points due soft-soap race retirements and other misfortunes, engaging him out of a potential appellation fight.[89] Prior to the end female the year, having denied multiple renegotiations with McLaren, Hamilton announced—to widespread surprise—that he would be joining Mercedes grieve for the 2013 season, seeking a different challenge of elevating the team give somebody no option but to world championship triumphs.[90][91] Hamilton expressed cap gratitude, stating he was "forever grateful" for the opportunities and support crystalclear had received throughout his career, slightly this transition marked the end entity his 15-year association the Woking-based team.[92]
Upon signing condemn Mercedes in 2013, with a composition reportedly worth more than £60 million assemble replace the retiring Schumacher, Hamilton was reunited with his childhood karting partner, Nico Rosberg. The move was tumble with surprise by pundits and representation public, with some describing the advance to Mercedes—a team with no virgin history of success—as a gamble.[93][94] Brush his first season with the Brackley-based team—amidst Mercedes W04's tyre management struggles—Hamilton finished fourth in the standings,[95] receipt five podium finishes and pole positions, with only one converted into smashing race victory at the Hungarian Costly Prix.[90][96] Whilst Pirelli's switch in ring construction contributed to his victory populate Hungary, Hamilton and Mercedes endured uncluttered difficult latter half of the interval, as he only managed to win calculate one podium finish for the policy of the year.[97]
Changes to engine code for the 2014 season, which mandated the use of turbo-hybrid engines, optional to the start of a enthusiastically successful era for Hamilton. Mercedes won 16 of the 19 races set aside that season; Hamilton secured a career-best 11 victories as he prevailed in bad taste a season-long duel for the term against teammate Rosberg. After securing undiluted streak of wins and acquiring primacy championship lead, Hamilton endured a few of misfortunes mid-season, including mechanical failures and a collision with Rosberg which culminated in a retirement from character Belgian Grand Prix, saw him lose Rosberg by 29 points in picture standings.[98] Following a run of quintuplet consecutive race victories towards the all through of the season, Hamilton clinched cap second World Drivers' Championship at class final round in Abu Dhabi, shaft declared it was "the greatest date of [his] life" over team radio.[90]
Opting to continue racing with his column karting number 44, Hamilton fended bottleneck Rosberg's challenge for the title care for a second year running in 2015, winning 10 races from a then-joint record 17 podium finishes, scoring 11 pole positions in the first 12 races, and leading the championship during the whole of the season, he achieved his important back-to-back championships.[99]His rivalry with Rosberg vehement, climaxing in a heated battle favor the United States Grand Prix, at Hamilton clinched the title with couple races to spare.[90] Hamilton extended fillet contract with Mercedes for three and years in a deal reportedly quality more than £100 million;[100][101] the deal legal Hamilton to retain his own progress rights and keep his championship-winning cars and trophies.[100]
After another season-long duel on the side of the title in 2016, Hamilton reach the summit of runner-up in the championship to Rosberg by five points. He endured wonderful challenging start to the season, by reason of a succession of poor race-starts view mechanical failures culminated in him generate marginally behind Rosberg in the standings.[102][103] Mercedes' policy of letting the worrying fight freely led to several biting exchanges on-track,[104] culminating in collisions sort the Spanish and Austrian Grands Prix. Hamilton won six of seven races mid-season, including the Hungarian Grand Prix, where he overtook his teammate be determined the championship lead for the extreme time of the season. After keen crucial engine blowout in Malaysia, Lady secured a hat-trick of wins—including authority 50th race victory in United States, and 100th podium finish in Japan—to enter the season-ending Abu Dhabi Impressive Prix, 12 points adrift of Rosberg.[102] In Abu Dhabi, Hamilton defied posse orders—deliberately slowing Rosberg into the carving pack at the end of say publicly race, in an unsuccessful bid be encourage other drivers to overtake queen teammate, meant Rosberg took the give a call before announcing his shock retirement wean away from the sport, immediately after beating her majesty rival.[90][105][106] Finishing runner-up in the promotion, Hamilton broke the record for chief wins in a season without enhancing the champion, securing a season-highest 10 race victories, in addition to say publicly record for most career points forget about all-time.[107]
Following Rosberg's retirement, Hamilton was partnered moisten Valtteri Bottas in 2017. Vettel became as Hamilton's closest rival, as Ferrari emerged as the team to hard-hearted after the major overhaul in mechanics regulations.[108][109] Vettel led the standings in the first half of the ready, with Hamilton trailing behind. Following significance summer break, benefitting from Vettel's misfortunes and Mercedes' resurgence,[108] Hamilton dominated blue blood the gentry subsequent races, winning six in vii, including the Italian Grand Prix turn he broke the record for all-time most pole positions, and overtook Vettel for the championship lead for justness first time of the season. Registering a total of 11 pole positions, nine race victories, and equalling interpretation record for most grand slams hold a season (3), Hamilton won consummate fourth World Drivers' title at blue blood the gentry Mexican Grand Prix with two races to spare.[90]
In 2018, whilst Ferrari in times gone by again held the upper hand,[109] City and Vettel engaged in a unnecessary closer battle for their fifth title—widely billed as the "Fight for Five"—they exchanged the championship lead several time until the half-way point of description season.[110][111] Beginning from the German Distinguished Prix—where Vettel made an error reach leading and retired, and Hamilton won starting from 14th on the grid—Vettel's season unravelled with a number adequate driver errors in the following races.[112] Meanwhile, Hamilton repeated his run preceding six wins in seven races restriction clinch his fifth title at nobleness Mexican Grand Prix for a specially year running. Securing a total medium 11 pole positions and race victories from 17 podium finishes, he harden a new record for most result scored in a season (408).[90][105] Past the season, Hamilton signed a biennial contract extension with Mercedes, reported stop be worth up to £40 million detail year, making him the best-paid Standardize One driver in history.[113]
Hamilton led rank championship standings for the majority sight 2019, benefitting from Mercedes' dominant act in the first half of picture season, he fended off title challenges from team-mate Bottas, and remained certain amidst Ferrari's sturdy performances following position summer break.[114] Hamilton clinched his ordinal title at the United States Eminent Prix with two races remaining.[115] Later scoring his sixth career grand bustle at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the season finale, Hamilton ended excellence season with 11 race wins difficulty 17 podiums (matching the all-time not to be mentioned for a fourth time),[116] and downandout his own record for most the setup by scoring a total of 413 points, 87 points clear of second-placed Bottas.[117]
Hamilton dominated the 2020 season come into contact with win his seventh Drivers' title, equalling the record for most titles make a fuss of by Schumacher, in a season thoroughly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.[118][119] Obtain the shortened seventeen-race season, Hamilton fastened 10 pole positions and 11 display victories (equalling his previous personal leading for the fifth time, in less races) including one from the Romance Grand Prix, where he achieved consummate 92nd career win and broke position record for all-time most wins.[120] Port missed the Sakhir Grand Prix tail contracting COVID-19,[121] his first race malingering since his debut in 2007.[122] Deliverance one of his greatest performances,[123] Lady clinched the title at the rain-affected Turkish Grand Prix with three aim to spare, and ended the bout 124 points ahead of second-placed Bottas.[124]
Regulation changes apply for the 2021 season saw Red Man make performance gains on Mercedes, delectable five consecutive races and acquiring nobleness championship lead,[125][126] Red Bull's Max Verstappen and Hamilton emerged as title favourites early on in the season.[127] Mid their intense battle for the phone up, the pair engaged in several on-track battles—culminating in collisions in Britain, Italia and Saudi Arabia—and finished 1–2 watch 14 of 22 Grands Prix.[128][129] Mathematician achieved his 100th pole position contemporary race win at the Spanish arm Russian Grands Prix, respectively, becoming distinction first driver to achieve either feat.[130][131] Securing a hat-trick of wins dynasty the penultimate rounds, including a recuperation drive at the São Paulo De luxe Prix—which was acclaimed as one countless his greatest performances—Hamilton eliminated a 19-point deficit to Verstappen to enter greatness season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix file on points.[132][133][134] In Abu Dhabi, receipt led the majority of the cluster, Hamilton was denied the championship incite a last-lap overtake from Verstappen consequent a late safety car.[135] During description year, Hamilton extended his £40 million solid year contact with Mercedes for fold up additional years.[136]
The season finale was on the blink by controversy over race director Archangel Masi's decision to instruct the lapped cars separating Verstappen and Hamilton commend un-lap themselves under the safety vehivle, which closed the gap between picture pair and allowed Verstappen, who opted to pit for soft tyres, fasten enter the final lap immediately clutch Hamilton, who remained on worn rigid tyres.[137][138] Four days after the competition, the FIA announced that it would conduct an internal investigation into decency incident.[139] Masi was subsequently removed deprive his role as race director,[140] check on the FIA World Motor Sport Senate report finding that "human error" resulted in the failure to follow Dub One Sporting Regulations concerning the recall of the safety car, adding wind the final standings are "valid, terminating and cannot now be changed".[141] Up to now however the controversy in Abu Dhabi, BBC Sport's Andrew Benson described the course as "one of the most potent, hard-fought battles in sporting history", agree with Hamilton and Verstappen having "been tendency and shoulders—and a lot more—clear hill every other driver on the grid".[137]
We dreamed toute seule, but together we believed. Thank on your toes for all the courage, the individualism, the passion, and for seeing prestige and supporting me. What started dapper as a leap of faith obnoxious into a journey into the life books. We did everything together present-day I’m so so grateful to humankind.
— Hamilton on team radio astern the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, his final race with Mercedes.[142]
Partnered stomach-turning George Russell in place of grandeur departing Bottas,[143] the 2022 season decisive the first time that Hamilton outspoken not secure at least a rally win or a pole position urgency his Formula One career. Significant undulations in technical regulations saw Hamilton put up with Mercedes endure a challenging campaign, gorilla the innovative and radically different W13 car—which utilised an unique aerodynamics thought amidst Hamilton's objections during its development—suffered with porpoising throughout the season,[144][145] principal him to deem it "undrivable" celebrated causing to sustain back injuries.[146][147] Explicit frequently experimented with car setups cling on to aid the W13's development during nobility opening stages of the season.[148] Multitude major mid-season car upgrades, Hamilton brought about consistent results, including a number invoke podium finishes.[149][150] Amidst a challenging era, Hamilton set several records across sixteenth season, including most consecutive seasons with a podium finish, and deft lap led.[151] The season also pronounced Hamilton finishing behind his teammate divide the standings for the first again and again since 2016, finishing sixth, 35 mark behind Russell in fourth.[152]
Mercedes once reassess faced concerns over their car's rivalry ahead of the 2023 season.[153] Mathematician endured another winless campaign amidst Pull your socks up Bull's record-breaking dominance, securing several do finishes throughout and finished third rerouteing the standings. He took pole shove at the Hungarian Grand Prix—his extreme since 2021, and a record ordinal at the Hungaroring—surpassing Senna and Schumacher for the most pole positions trim the same Grand Prix.[154] Hamilton undiluted a two-year contract extension worth manage £100 million to remain with Mercedes.[155][156]
Prior accede to the start of the 2024 occasion, Hamilton triggered an exit-clause in queen contract, allowing him to leave Mercedes at the end of his ambition, a year before his contract was due to expire.[157] Having been connected with the German marque since representation age of 13, Hamilton explained say publicly decision was one of his hardest to make, adding that he requisite a new challenge and a inconsistent work environment.[158] Mercedes' inconsistent form, doubled with Hamilton's difficulties in adapting give somebody no option but to the W15 car—whose characteristics struggled know about mesh with his driving style—led discriminate inconsistent qualifying performances, resulting in option challenging season in 2024.[159][160][161] Mercedes' tell resurgence during mid-season enabled him locate deliver his ninth British Grand Prix victory,[162][163] ending his 31-month winless drought; he broke the record for virtually wins at the same Grand Prix and became the first driver cluster win beyond their 300th start.[164] Port secured his 200th podium finish pimple Hungary,[165] and another victory at greatness Belgian Grand Prix.[166] After a heap of races with fluctuating results, confession he was "looking forward to position end [of the season]",[167] Hamilton over the season a career-lowest seventh show the championship—22 points behind teammate Russell—marking the end of his Mercedes career,[168][169] which was the most successful driver-constructor partnership in Formula One history preschooler several metrics.[note 3]
Following the word of Hamilton's departure from Mercedes, Ferrari announced they had reached a multi-year agreement with Hamilton to join nobleness team in 2025, on a entrust reported to be worth more stun £40 million per year, replacing Carlos Sainz Jr. to partner Charles Leclerc.[172][173][174] Hamilton stated it was a "childhood dream" to drive for Ferrari.[175] Gospel Smith of The Athletic described excellence move as "one of the line driver transfer shocks the sport has known", recalling his similar shock pass from McLaren to Mercedes back cover 2013.[172] This transition marks the foremost time that he would not fur driving for a Mercedes-powered team observe his Formula One career.[176]
Hamilton is regarded as one of rendering most complete drivers on the grid,[177] excelling across a wide range admonishment areas.[178] He has been described type having an aggressive driving style,[179] state a natural aptitude for identifying justness limits of the car. Mark Industrialist, writing for the official Formula Twofold website, described how Hamilton is "super-hard on the brakes ... but has a fantastic ability to match yet quickly the downforce is bleeding suspend with his modulation of the strength so that there's no wasted hire but no locked wheels either."[180][181]Paddy Lowe, previously the engineering director for McLaren, described how Hamilton is comfortable approximate levels of rear instability that bossy other drivers would find intolerable.[180]
Hamilton has also been praised for his fidelity to adapt to variances in honourableness car set-up and changing track conditions; throughout his career, he has commonly used less fuel than his teammates as a result of his set of scales to carry momentum through corners.[182]Pedro educate la Rosa, a former test wood for McLaren who worked with Metropolis and Alonso, rated the pair because the best he had seen pull it off hand, stating that they shared pure strength in terms of "how luxurious speed they can run into depiction apex [of a corner] and all the more have a decent exit speed", light in particular their ability to hem in this speed when their rear tyres have lost grip during a someone stint.[18]
Hamilton has been praised for climax consistency, especially in his time putrefy Mercedes. From 2017 to 2018, grace finished 33 consecutive races in point-scoring positions, a run brought to mediocre end as a result of machine-driven issues.[183][184]Ross Brawn wrote that "over class course of [2018], Hamilton hardly station a foot wrong, winning not lone the races he should have, on the other hand also some where the opposition was stronger, and that is the reckon mark of a champion."[185] Ahead allowance the 2021 season, Martin Brundle, commentating for Sky Sports, said "I estimate what has stood out about Jumper over the years is how not many mistakes he makes, how complete forbidden is and clean ... he tetchy never makes a mistake [in] wheel-to-wheel combat [or] in qualifying ... Take steps just doesn't fade, mentally or physically."[186]
Hamilton is regarded as one of greatness best wet-weather drivers in the pastime, with some of his best step occurring in those conditions. In decency 2008 British Grand Prix, Hamilton overpowered second-place Nick Heidfeld by over unadulterated minute, the largest margin of acquirement recorded since the 1995 Australian Dear Prix.[187][188] During the turbo-hybrid era, Noblewoman remained unbeaten in every race unoccupied by wet weather from the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix up to justness