Lewis Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton is widely regarded as one of the greatest Formula 1 drivers in history. Born in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, England, Hamilton showed prodigious talent from a young age in karting before being signed to the McLaren young driver program at just 13 years old. He made his F1 debut with McLaren in 2007, finishing runner-up in his rookie season by just one point. He secured his first World Championship in 2008 in dramatic fashion at the Brazilian Grand Prix, becoming the youngest champion at that time.

Hamilton’s move to Mercedes in 2013 proved to be one of the most consequential decisions in F1 history. During the turbo-hybrid era beginning in 2014, Hamilton dominated the sport, winning six World Championships with Mercedes in 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020. His seven total World Championships tied Michael Schumacher’s all-time record, and he holds the outright records for most pole positions, most race wins, and most podium finishes in F1 history.

Beyond racing, Hamilton has built a substantial business empire. He has secured lucrative endorsement deals with brands including Tommy Hilfiger, Monster Energy, Puma, and IWC watches. He launched his own fashion label and has invested in several ventures including the Denver Broncos NFL team and various sustainability-focused companies. His annual salary from racing alone has consistently exceeded $50 million.

In 2025, Hamilton made the blockbuster move to Scuderia Ferrari, fulfilling a lifelong dream to drive for the iconic Italian team. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in the 2021 New Year Honours for his services to motorsport. Hamilton is also known for his activism on issues including racial justice, environmental sustainability, and diversity in motorsport, founding the Hamilton Commission to improve representation of Black people in UK motorsport.