In January, Lewis Hamilton celebrated the 11th anniversary of his pivotal move to Mercedes in 2013, a decision that marked the beginning of a legendary career and solidified his status as one of Formula 1’s greatest-ever drivers.
Joining Mercedes after four consecutive seasons of finishing fourth or fifth post his maiden World Championship win in 2008, Hamilton’s decision to leave McLaren was initially seen as a risky move.
Partnering with childhood friend Nico Rosberg, their on-track battles evolved into a fierce rivalry, prompting the team’s chief strategist, James Vowles, to establish a ‘rules of engagement’ document ahead of the dominant 2014 season.
Despite internal tensions, Hamilton secured the 2014 championship with an outstanding performance in the final seven races. The rivalry with Rosberg continued, reaching its peak in 2015 with a dramatic move at the United States Grand Prix and a contentious moment in Austria. Rosberg clinched the 2016 title before announcing a surprise retirement, paving the way for Valtteri Bottas to join and support Hamilton in extending Mercedes’ dominance.
During this period, Hamilton amassed numerous victories while developing a new rivalry with Max Verstappen. In 2021, as Mercedes faced a diminished advantage, Hamilton and Verstappen engaged in a thrilling title battle, marked by intense clashes at Silverstone and Monza. The season finale in Abu Dhabi became controversial due to a safety car protocol, ultimately handing Verstappen the title on the final lap.
Despite challenges with the W13 and W14 launches, Hamilton committed to a new two-year deal, remaining determined to secure his record-breaking eighth World Championship.
As the W15’s launch approaches in February, Hamilton has already notched an impressive 82 wins with Mercedes, surpassing the career totals of all drivers except Michael Schumacher, whose 91-race record was eclipsed by Hamilton in 2020.
