Sir Lewis Hamilton, born on January 7, 1985, is a British racing driver currently competing for Ferrari in Formula One.
He has won seven World Championships, tying with Michael Schumacher, and holds records for the most wins (105), pole positions (104) and podium finishes (202) in the sport’s history.
Hamilton began his career in karting and made his F1 debut in 2007 with McLaren, becoming the first Black driver in the series.
He is also known for his advocacy for racial justice and diversity in motorsport.
Parents
Hamilton’s parents are Anthony Hamilton and Carmen Larbalestier.
His father, of Grenadian descent, supported his racing career by working multiple jobs after their separation when Lewis was two.
Hamilton lived with his mother and half-sisters until age 12, then moved in with his father and stepmother, Linda.
Carmen has remained a significant emotional support throughout his life, while Anthony played a crucial role in nurturing Hamilton’s racing talent from a young age.
Career
Hamilton began his racing career in karting at the age of six in 1991, quickly demonstrating his talent in the sport.
He competed in various karting championships, including the British Cadet Championship, where he won multiple titles.
His skills caught the attention of Ron Dennis, the team principal of McLaren, who invited him to join the McLaren Young Driver Programme in 1998 when Hamilton was just 13 years old.
After karting, Hamilton transitioned to open-wheel racing, making his debut in the British Formula Renault series in 2003.
He dominated this series, winning the championship with impressive performances.
In 2005, he moved on to compete in the Formula Three Euroseries, where he continued to excel, clinching the championship with a remarkable 15 victories out of 20 races.
Hamilton made his Formula One debut with McLaren at the 2007 Australian Grand Prix.
He finished third in his first race, making an immediate impact on the sport.
During his rookie season, Hamilton showcased remarkable consistency and skill, finishing on the podium in his first nine races—a record at that time.
He ended the season just one point behind champion Kimi Räikkönen.
In 2008, Hamilton secured his first World Championship in dramatic fashion.
He won five races that season and clinched the title at the final race in Brazil, becoming the youngest World Champion at that time.
Hamilton remained with McLaren until 2012, achieving numerous victories and podium finishes but did not win another championship during this period.
In 2013, he made a significant career move by joining Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team, a decision that would prove pivotal for both him and the team.
Since joining Mercedes, Hamilton has experienced unprecedented success.
He won consecutive championships in 2014 and 2015 and continued to dominate through subsequent seasons.
Hamilton has won a total of seven World Championships (2008, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020), tying with Michael Schumacher for the most titles in F1 history.
He also holds records for most wins (over 100), pole positions (over 100), and podium finishes (over 200).
Beyond his achievements on track, Hamilton is known for his advocacy for diversity and inclusion within motorsport.
He has used his platform to address issues related to racial inequality and environmental sustainability.
