Not only is Lewis Hamilton the most successful driver in F1 history, but he also has an incredible record in the junior series.
7-time Champion Lewis Hamilton has been making loud statements on track since before his Formula One career started. In his junior career, Lewis Hamilton made quite the impression. From Formula Renault to GP2, Hamilton showed promise and skill which allowed him to eventually drive for McLaren on his F1 debut.
This weekend, Formula 1 is racing at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace in Interlagos, Brazil. The 2024 Sao Paulo Grand Prix in Brazil will be a special one for Lewis Hamilton.
Lewis Hamilton will be driving Ayrton Senna’s historic McLaren MP4/5B at the Brazilian Grand Prix. This will be in celebration of the legend’s career. A similar event was held earlier this year at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix which marked 30 years since his death, when Sebastian Vettel drove the MP4/8. Ayrton Senna is Hamilton’s racing hero, marking this honour as an emotional one for the Mercedes driver.
However, this weekend will be special for Hamilton for more than just that honour. It is another home race for Lewis Hamilton this weekend. Ahead of his second home race of the season, get to know how the honorary Brazilian citizen drove his way up the ranks of the junior categories and into Formula 1.
Karting
Lewis Hamilton’s karting career began in 1993, and his talent quickly became evident as he started winning races and championships in the cadet class. A few years prior, his father had bought him a race-control car. Five-year-old Hamilton finished second in the national BRCA championship the following year against adult competition. This clearly sparked a love for racing, which took him into karting almost immediately
By the age of ten, he became the youngest driver to win the British cadet karting championship, showcasing his exceptional skill and determination.
In 1998, Hamilton’s encounter with McLaren Formula One team boss Ron Dennis at the Autosport Awards proved to be a pivotal moment. Hamilton approached Dennis for an autograph and boldly expressed his ambition to race for McLaren one day. Dennis, impressed by Hamilton’s confidence, wrote in his autograph book to contact him in nine years.
Despite being just 12 years old, Hamilton’s potential was evident. Young Hamilton was offered a role in the McLaren driver development program by Dennis following his second Super One series and British championship wins in 1998.
Throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, Hamilton continued to excel in karting, progressing through the ranks and winning championships. He became European Champion in 2000.
In Formula A and Formula Super A, Hamilton competed alongside Nico Rosberg.
In 2001, Lewis Hamilton had the opportunity to compete against Formula One legend Michael Schumacher in a karting event. Despite finishing 4 places behind Schumacher, Hamilton’s talent and racing mentality were praised by the 7-time world champion.
Formula Renault
In 2001, competing in the British Formula Renault Winter Series with Manor Motorsport Lewis Hamilton finished fifth overall. In 2002, he continued with Manor Motorsport in the main British Formula Renault Championship, achieving a commendable third-place finish overall, highlighted by three victories and 7 podiums.
Also in 2002, Lewis Hamilton competed in the Formula Renault 2000 Eurocup. In that season, he achieved three podium finishes which included 1 win. Even though he missed the first five races of the season, the results he obtained in the final four were enough for him to secure fifth place in the championship standings.
He went on to win the Formula Renault UK title in 2003, with 10 wins in 11 races, finishing off the podium only twice.
Formula Three
The Brit transitioned to the British Formula Three Championship at the end of 2003 with Manor Motorsport.
In 2004, Hamilton moved to the Euroseries Formula Three Championship with Manor Motorsport securing a notable victory at the Norising street circuit. He concluded the season with a fifth-place finish overall. That year too, he won the Bahrain F3 Superprix. In the 2003 Macau Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton won the qualifying race and also won one of the races during the event.
Williams nearly signed the young Brit but did not because their then-engine supplier BMW refused to fund him. Hamilton eventually re-signed with McLaren. It was allegedly a feal filled with drama, due to Anthony Hamilton – Lewis Hamilton’s father – and the then McLaren executive Martin Whitmarsh disagreeing on the young driver’s next steps.
The subsequent year, 2005, saw Lewis Hamilton joining ASM for the Euroseries Formula Three Championship. Dominating the season with an impressive 15 victories out of 20 races, he secured the championship title. Notable wins were at Monaco F3 Grand Prix and Pau F3 Grand Prix. Additionally, he won at the F3 Marlboro Masters, further solidifying his stature as a formidable talent on his path to Formula One.
GP2
In 2006, Hamilton joined GP2, racing for the ART Grand Prix team. The rookie had to go against drivers like Nelson Piquet Jr and Timo Glock. Once again, despite the odds though, Hamilton won the GP2 championship in his first season. It wasn’t the easiest run to the title, with the driver only winning 5 out of 21 races.
(For details on Lewis Hamilton’s GP2 title win read: Sir Lewis Hamilton: The Road To F1)
In all the races he finished, he finished off the podium only 6 times. After a very successful and impressive GP2 season by Lewis Hamilton. there was a vacancy at McLaren. After months of speculation on whether Hamilton, Pedro de la Rosa or Gary Paffett would be paired with defending champion Fernando Alonso for 2007, Lewis Hamilton was confirmed as the team’s second driver.
And in 2007, the Brit made his F1 debut. Not only was he impressive in his junior career, but as an F1 rookie, Hamilton missed out on the Drivers’ Championship title by only a point! He went on to win the F1 title in 2008 – the first of 7 for him.
