Who is Lewis Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton is a British Formula 1 driver, seven-time world champion and Ferrari driver since 2025. He previously raced for McLaren and Mercedes, while pursuing educational inclusion initiatives and projects in fashion, film and electric motorsport. [1]
Early life and karting
Born on 7 January 1985 in Stevenage, England, he developed through karting before moving into single-seaters. Becoming Formula 1’s first Black driver also gave his career social significance within a sport with substantial economic and representation barriers. [4]
Aged ten, he introduced himself to Ron Dennis and said he wanted to race for McLaren. [5] He joined its young-driver programme in 1998, linking his development to an organised support structure long before his first Formula 1 race. [6]
Single-seater development and GP2
His development culminated in the 2006 GP2 championship with ART, led by Frédéric Vasseur. Alexandre Prémat was his teammate and Nelson Piquet Jr. a principal rival, providing experience in circuits and formats close to Formula 1. [7]
His 2006 Turkish GP2 race remains notable: he recovered to second behind Andreas Zuber. Formula 1’s preserved footage documents a specific performance beyond a list of titles. Although it enhanced his reputation, he did not win that race. [8]
McLaren debut and championship
He debuted in 2007, winning four races and missing the championship by one point. [4] His first title followed in 2008, decided on the final lap in Brazil. He raced for McLaren through 2012, combining success in changing conditions with the pressures of a championship-contending team. [5]
Mercedes and seven championships
He joined Mercedes in 2013 and stayed for twelve seasons, recording 84 victories and six drivers’ titles with the team. Engineers, mechanics and strategists contributed to this collective project even though the individual championship belongs to the driver. [9]
His titles came in 2008, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020, matching Michael Schumacher’s seven world championships. [10] The sequence distinguishes his first McLaren title from six later Mercedes championships.
Abu Dhabi 2021 and return to winning
The 2021 Abu Dhabi championship decider prompted an FIA review of safety-car procedures. Its March 2022 report proposed operational changes and confirmed the results were valid and final. The review addressed race-control procedures. [11]
In July 2024 he won at Silverstone after 56 races without victory. His ninth success there set the single-circuit win record at that time, adding another milestone during his final Mercedes season. [12]
Ferrari from 2025
Ferrari announced a multi-year agreement beginning in 2025. [13] He won the Chinese Sprint that March, his first victory for the team. [14] His first Ferrari Grand Prix victory followed at Barcelona-Catalunya on 14 June 2026, ahead of George Russell and Lando Norris. [15]
The Hamilton Commission
The commission he established with the Royal Academy of Engineering published Accelerating Change in 2021. Ten months of research identified barriers to Black people’s recruitment and progression in motorsport engineering, leading to ten recommendations on education, career access and hiring within the UK context. [16]
Mission 44 and educational opportunity
In July 2021 he launched Mission 44 with an initial personal pledge of £20 million. Its partnerships and programmes address unequal access to education and employment, extending his representation work into scientific and technical career opportunities. [17]
Its 2024–2025 report records an F1-team and FIA diversity and inclusion charter linked to commission recommendations, alongside STEM career activities. These are the organisation’s accounts of initiatives implemented. [18]
In 2026 he visited Oasis Academy South Bank and met Mission 44 youth advisers as part of Nothing Happens In Isolation, addressing school inclusion and exclusions. [19]
Electric motorsport, film and fashion
He founded X44 for the electric off-road Extreme E series. [2] The team won the 2022 championship and a series sustainability award. [20] His founder role is distinct from the drivers’ work and from independent environmental-impact evaluation.
He is a producer of F1 The Movie, directed by Joseph Kosinski and released in 2025, [21] involving his Dawn Apollo Films and Formula 1. [22] In fashion, he collaborated with Tommy Hilfiger on the 2018 TommyXLewis collection. [23]
Public recognition
He was knighted at Windsor in December 2021 and uses the title Sir. [24] His biography spans sporting results, business projects and inclusion work, each with its own sources, responsibilities and outcomes.
