Formidable success at all levels
After stints in karting, including one season alongside future Mercedes
Formula One team mate Nico Rosberg, Hamilton graduates to Formula Renault,
Formula Three and GP2, winning them all.
Cool alliance with Alonso
Hamilton is paired by Dennis with the defending world champion Fernando Alonso
for the 2007 season, qualifying fourth and finishing third in his first race
in Australia. His relations with the Spaniard remain frosty throughout the
year.
Agonising end to debut season
An unbelievable rookie season, in which McLaren are fined $100 million for
their role in ‘Spygate’, ends with a painful end for Hamilton as he loses
out on the drivers’ title by a single point to Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen in
the last race of the year.
Dramatic finale realises dream
In 2008, he becomes, at 23 years and 301 days, Formula
One’s youngest ever world champion at the penultimate corner of the
final lap of the final race in Brazil. The historic success remains, to
date, Hamilton’s only world championship title.
Emotional apology over lies
In his first race as world champion in 2009, Hamilton receives the first real
blot on his copybook as he is caught lying to race stewards following a
crash in Melbourne. He issues an emotional public apology but long-serving
sporting director Dave Ryan is sacked.
Umbilical chord finally breaks
After another frustrating season which sees his title hopes all but dashed,
and with his management having sounded out a number of rival teams, Hamilton
finally cuts the umbilical chord to McLaren by announcing his move to
Mercedes.