Lewis Hamilton Bio, Age, Height, Wife/Girlfriend, Family, Career, Net Worth

Sir Lewis Hamilton stands as the most successful driver in Formula 1 history, a seven-time World Champion who transformed from a mixed-race kid on a Stevenage council estate into a global sporting icon. With records for most wins (105), pole positions (104), and podiums (202), Hamilton has redefined excellence in motorsport while using his platform to champion diversity, sustainability, and social justice. His shocking 2025 move to Ferrari marked the culmination of a childhood dream, adding a dramatic new chapter to a career that has already shattered every benchmark in Formula 1.

Quick Facts

Early Life & Education

Childhood in Stevenage

Lewis Carl Davidson Hamilton was born on January 7, 1985, in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, a working-class town north of London. His parents, Anthony Hamilton (of Grenadian descent) and Carmen Larbalestier (White British), separated when Lewis was just two years old, shaping a childhood split between two households.

Growing up on a council estate (public housing) in Stevenage, Hamilton experienced financial hardship that would later fuel his drive for success. He lived with his mother and two older maternal half-sisters, Nicola and Samantha Lockhart, until age 10, while spending weekends with his father.

The Karting Beginning

Hamilton’s racing journey began at age three when his father bought him a radio-controlled car. By age eight, Anthony purchased a second-hand go-kart—costing approximately one month’s family income—launching Lewis into competitive karting. The investment required extraordinary sacrifice: Anthony worked three jobs simultaneously (IT manager, double-glazing salesman, and odd jobs) to fund Lewis’s racing career.

Early Achievements:

• 1993: Began karting competitively
• 1995: Won British Karting Championship (age 10)
• 1996–97: European and world karting titles

Education

Hamilton attended John Henry Newman School in Stevenage, where he balanced academics with intense racing schedules. He was one of the few students of color at his school and faced bullying, which he later said motivated him to prove his worth through racing excellence.

At age 10, Hamilton approached Ron Dennis, McLaren CEO, at an awards ceremony and told him, “One day I want to race for you.” Dennis signed him to the McLaren Young Driver Programme in 1998—making Lewis the youngest driver ever signed by the team.

Career Journey

Junior Categories (1998–2006)

McLaren-Mercedes Young Driver Programme (1998–2006)

• 1998: Signed by Ron Dennis, relieving family’s financial burden
• 2000: Formula A World Champion
• 2001: British Formula Renault Winter Series champion
• 2002: 3rd in British Formula Renault
• 2003: 1st in British Formula Renault (10 wins from 15 races)
• 2004: Formula 3 Euro Series (5th place)
• 2005: British Formula 3 Champion (15 wins, 13 poles)
• 2006: GP2 Series Champion (5 wins, dominant rookie performance)

Signature Moment: A viral three-wide pass at Silverstone’s Maggots-Becketts corner at 140 mph demonstrated his extraordinary racecraft.

McLaren Era (2007–2012)

2007: Record-Breaking Rookie Season

• Debut: Australian Grand Prix (3rd place, first Black F1 driver)
• Records: Most consecutive podiums from debut (9), joint-most wins in rookie season (4)
• Controversy: Intense rivalry with teammate Fernando Alonso
• Result: Runner-up by 1 point to Kimi Räikkönen

2008: First World Championship

• Historic Win: Became youngest F1 World Champion (until 2010) with dramatic last-corner pass at Brazilian Grand Prix
• Wins: 5 victories
• Significance: First Black driver to win F1 title

2009–2012: McLaren Years

• Multiple wins each season but no additional championships
• 2012: Final year with McLaren, won final race in Brazil

Mercedes Era (2013–2024): The Golden Age

2013: The Risky Move
Hamilton made a shocking move to Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team, leaving his McLaren “family.” The decision coincided with upcoming V6 turbo-hybrid regulations.

2014–2015: Back-to-Back Titles

• Dominated new hybrid era with Nico Rosberg as teammate
• 2014: 11 wins, 2nd championship
• 2015: 10 wins, 3rd championship

2016: Rosberg Rivalry Peak

• Lost title to Rosberg by 5 points
• Rosberg retired immediately after winning—highlighting the toll of competing with Hamilton

2017–2020: Unprecedented Dominance

• Four consecutive World Championships (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020)
• Surpassed Ayrton Senna’s pole record (2017)
• Surpassed Michael Schumacher’s win record (2020)
• 2020 Turkish GP: Matched Schumacher’s 7 World Championships

2021: The Controversial Near-Miss

• Epic battle with Max Verstappen
• Led 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix until final lap Safety Car controversy allowed Verstappen to win title
• One of the most debated championship conclusions in F1 history

2022–2024: The Drought

• New ground-effect regulations hurt Mercedes competitiveness
• 2022: First winless season in F1 career
• 2023: Continued struggles, no wins
• 2024: Final Mercedes season, announced Ferrari move mid-year

Ferrari Era (2025–Present)

The Dream Move

• February 2024: Shocking announcement of move to Scuderia Ferrari
• Contract: Multi-year deal through 2027 (with 2028 option), worth $60 million annually
• Historic: First time not driving Mercedes-powered car in F1 career

2025 Debut Season: Struggles

• Result: 6th in championship, zero podiums (first winless/podium-less season ever)
• Gap: 86 points behind teammate Charles Leclerc
• Low points: Consecutive Q1 exits in final three races
• Car issues: Described Ferrari SF-25 as feeling “alien” compared to Mercedes

Future: Working with Ferrari on 2026 regulation changes; remains committed to ending career on high note.

Career Statistics & Records

Career Conversion Rates:

• Podium rate: 53% of races entered
• Win rate: 27% of races entered
• DNF rate: Only 33 retirements in 380 races (mechanical sympathy)

Personal Life

Current Relationship Status

As of early 2026, Lewis Hamilton is rumored to be dating Kim Kardashian after reports of a secret romantic weekend at Estelle Manor in Oxfordshire. Kardashian allegedly flew her £100 million private jet to spend 24 hours with Hamilton.

Hamilton’s Statement on Relationships (July 2025):

“I look at the other drivers, and I wonder how they’re doing it. Some are having kids, some married, most of them have girlfriends. I really focused in these last… particularly these last 10 years, get everything I can out of my performance. Then, when I retire, I can do whatever I want.”

Dating History

Jodia Ma (2003–2007)

• Met at Cambridge Arts and Sciences College
• Dated 4 years; she attended his first championship celebration (2008)

Nicole Scherzinger (2007–2015)

• Most significant relationship: On-off for 8 years
• Met at MTV EMAs 2007
• Final split 2015 due to long-distance pressures and F1 schedule
• Hamilton: “I learned the hard way” about high-profile relationships

Rumored/Linked Names:

• Danielle Lloyd (2002, 6 months)
• Rihanna (2015, denied)
• Gigi Hadid (2015, denied)
• kendall jenner (2015, denied)
• Rita Ora (2016)
• Winnie Harlow (2016–2017)
• Barbara Palvin (2016)
• nicki minaj (2018)
• Sofia Richie (2017)
• Camila Kendra (2021–2022)
• Shakira (2023, “beautiful friendship”)
• Juliana Nalu (2023–2024)
• Sofia Vergara (January 2025, brief)

Family

Father: Anthony Hamilton

• Grenadian-British heritage
• Managed Lewis’s career until 2010
• Remarried to linda hamilton (Lewis’s stepmother)
• Worked multiple jobs to fund Lewis’s karting career

Mother: Carmen Larbalestier (now Carmen Lockhart)

• White British
• Raised Lewis until age 10
• Close relationship; Lewis considered adding her maiden name to his surname (2022)
• Celebrated her 70th birthday in 2025 with emotional tribute from Lewis

Half-Brother: Nicolas Hamilton

• Born March 28, 1992 (age 33)
• Has cerebral palsy—doctors predicted he’d never walk
• Walked unaided at 17 through intensive training
• British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) driver since 2015
• First disabled driver in BTCC; uses specially modified car with hand controls
• Scored first BTCC point in 2020; best finish 6th (2023)
• Major inspiration for Lewis; subject of BBC documentary Racing with the Hamiltons

Half-Sisters: Nicola and Samantha Lockhart (maternal)

Hobbies & Interests

Music:

• Writes and produces music; plays guitar and piano
• Collaborated with artists including christina aguilera
• Released tracks on SoundCloud
• Views music as emotional outlet and vulnerability expression

Fashion:

• Known for bold, avant-garde style on F1 grid
• Collaborations with Tommy Hilfiger (TommyXLewis line)
• Regular at Fashion Weeks (Paris, Milan, New York)
• Pushes boundaries of traditional “racing driver” image

Business Ventures:

• Almave: Non-alcoholic tequila brand (launched 2024)
• Neat Burger: Vegan fast-food chain (co-investor)
• Denver Broncos: Part of ownership group (2022) with Condoleezza Rice
• Extreme E: Team owner (X44 Vida Carbon Racing)

Lifestyle:

• Vegan since 2017 (environmental and health reasons)
• Teetotal (quit alcohol for performance “extra 1%”)
• Extreme sports: surfing, snowboarding, skydiving
• Private pilot license

Controversies

2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix:
Lost 8th championship to Verstappen under controversial Safety Car restart procedures; Mercedes protested but result stood.

Tax Residency:
Criticized for residing in Monaco (tax haven); Hamilton and Motorsport UK clarified he remains among UK’s highest taxpayers despite residency.

“Angry” Interviews (2025):
Following difficult Ferrari season, Hamilton stated he wanted to “unplug from the matrix” and “throw phone in the freaking bin,” sparking retirement speculation. Clarified he meant needed mental break, not quitting.

No Major Scandals:
Unlike many sports stars, Hamilton has avoided:

• Criminal issues
• Substance abuse
• Domestic controversies
• Financial fraud

Maintains reputation as disciplined professional despite fame.

Awards & Achievements

Honorary Degrees:

• Honorary Doctorate from several UK universities for contributions to motorsport and diversity

Physical Statistics

Fitness Regime:

• Cardio, strength training, flexibility exercises
• Neck strength critical for F1 G-forces
• Vegan diet for recovery and performance
• Mental training: meditation, visualization

Quotes

“Still I Rise.”
— Personal motto, tattooed on shoulders and helmet

“I remember just how difficult it was when I was a kid. Through the work that we’re doing, we have the chance to build a better future for today’s young people.”
— On founding Mission 44

“I learned the hard way. I haven’t talked about it much. I’m really just super focused on work.”
— On keeping relationships private post-Scherzinger

“The love of what you do, the love of racing. The support of people around me, my fans, and keeping alive a dream. And I still have a dream.”
— December 2025, on motivation despite Ferrari struggles

“I can’t wait to get away from all this… unplug from the matrix.”
— December 2025, on needing mental break

Favorites

Salary & Net Worth

Net Worth Progression

Income Sources (2025)

1. Ferrari Salary: $60 million annually (highest-paid Ferrari driver ever)
2. Endorsements: $20–30 million annually

• Tommy Hilfiger, Puma, IWC, Sony, Bose, Monster Energy

1. Business Ventures:

• Almave tequila
• Neat Burger investment
• Denver Broncos ownership stake

1. Real Estate: Properties in Monaco, London, New York, Colorado

Contract Details:

• Ferrari deal: Through 2027 with 2028 option
• Total potential earnings: $180+ million if contract completed
• Performance bonuses: Additional millions for wins/championships

Financial Philosophy:
Hamilton emphasizes giving back through Mission 44 and other charitable causes, while building generational wealth through strategic investments beyond racing.

Interesting Facts

1. First Black F1 Driver: Broke color barrier in 2007
2. Council Estate to Castle: Grew up in public housing; now owns properties worldwide
3. Car Number 44: Uses 44 instead of #1 (champion’s privilege) because 4+4=8 (his lucky number from karting)
4. Ron Dennis Meeting: Approached McLaren CEO at age 10; signed at 13
5. Three Jobs Dad: Father worked triple shifts to fund karting
6. GP2 Dominance: Won championship by 12 points despite penalty; famous three-wide pass at Silverstone
7. Music Career: Has recording studio; collaborated with Christina Aguilera on unreleased track “Pipe”
8. Vegan Athlete: Switched 2017; credits diet for extended career longevity
9. Teetotal: Stopped drinking alcohol completely for performance optimization
10. Pilot: Holds private pilot’s license
11. Fashion Rebel: First F1 driver to regularly wear jewelry, nail polish, and avant-garde fashion on grid
12. Mission 44 Name: Reference to his racing number and belief anyone can succeed regardless of background
13. Nicolas Inspiration: Half-brother’s cerebral palsy battle major motivation for Lewis’s resilience advocacy
14. Knighthood: First F1 driver knighted while still actively racing
15. Ferrari Dream: Childhood poster of Ferrari F1 car on his bedroom wall; realized dream 37 years later

Did You Know?

• Hamilton has won at least one race in every F1 season from 2007–2021 (15 consecutive seasons)—record streak ended in 2022
• He is the only driver to win 100+ races in F1 history
• His 2025 Ferrari season was his first without a single podium in 19-year career
• Hamilton can speak some French and is learning Italian for Ferrari
• He has a wax figure at Madame Tussauds in multiple cities
• Wrote, produced, and performed his own F1 podium celebration music
• First F1 driver to take a knee in support of Black Lives Matter (2020)
• Has met Nelson Mandela and keeps photo of their meeting in his home
• His karting number was #26 (father’s racing number); switched to #44 in Formula A
• Despite Monaco residency, maintains strong UK ties and pays significant UK taxes

Social Media Links

Connect with Lewis Hamilton on his official platforms:

• Instagram: @lewishamilton – 34+ million followers; fashion, racing, activism
• Twitter/X: @LewisHamilton – Race updates, social commentary
• Facebook: Lewis Hamilton (official) – Longer-form content
• TikTok: @lewishamilton – Behind-the-scenes content
• YouTube: Lewis Hamilton (official) – Music, vlogs, F1 content

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How many World Championships has Lewis Hamilton won?
A: Lewis Hamilton has won 7 FIA Formula 1 World Championships (2008, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020), tying him with Michael Schumacher for the all-time record. He narrowly missed an 8th title in 2021 under controversial circumstances.

Q: What is Lewis Hamilton’s net worth in 2026?
A: Lewis Hamilton’s net worth is estimated at $285–300 million as of 2026. His Ferrari contract pays $60 million annually, plus endorsements and business ventures including Almave tequila, Neat Burger, and Denver Broncos ownership.

Q: Is Lewis Hamilton dating Kim Kardashian?
A: As of February 2026, Hamilton is rumored to be dating Kim Kardashian after reports of a romantic weekend in Oxfordshire. However, neither has officially confirmed the relationship. Hamilton has kept his personal life extremely private since his 8-year relationship with Nicole Scherzinger ended in 2015.

Q: Why did Lewis Hamilton move to Ferrari in 2025?
A: Hamilton described the move as fulfilling a “childhood dream.” Despite spending 12 years at Mercedes, he wanted a new challenge and to drive for F1’s most iconic team. The multi-year deal through 2027 (with 2028 option) makes him the highest-paid Ferrari driver ever at $60 million annually.

Q: What is Mission 44?
A: Mission 44 is Hamilton’s charitable foundation launched in 2021 to increase diversity in motorsport and STEM careers. Named after his racing number, it funds scholarships, partners with F1 teams on diversity initiatives, and supports underrepresented youth. It received the Motorsport UK Inclusion Award in 2025.

Q: Who is Lewis Hamilton’s half-brother?
A: Nicolas Hamilton (born 1992) is Lewis’s paternal half-brother. Born with cerebral palsy, doctors said he’d never walk, but he defied odds to become the first disabled driver in British Touring Car Championship history, racing with specially modified hand controls.

Q: How tall is Lewis Hamilton?
A: Lewis Hamilton is 5 feet 8 inches (1.74 m) tall and weighs approximately 73 kg (160 lbs). His height is relatively average for an F1 driver; the grid ranges from 5’2″ (Yuki Tsunoda) to 6’1″ (Esteban Ocon).

Q: What records does Lewis Hamilton hold?
A: Hamilton holds the all-time F1 records for wins (105), pole positions (104), podiums (202), and points scored (5,018.5). He shares the championship record (7) with Michael Schumacher. He also holds records for most wins from pole, most consecutive wins, and most wins in a debut season.

Q: Is Lewis Hamilton vegan?
A: Yes, Hamilton adopted a plant-based vegan diet in 2017 for health, environmental, and animal welfare reasons. He credits the diet with extending his career longevity and peak performance into his late 30s. He also launched vegan fast-food chain Neat Burger and non-alcoholic tequila brand Almave.

Q: What happened in Lewis Hamilton’s 2025 Ferrari season?
A: Hamilton’s 2025 Ferrari debut was disappointing—he finished 6th in the championship with zero podiums, his first winless and podium-less season in 19 years. He struggled with the car’s handling, describing it as “alien” compared to Mercedes, and was outscored by teammate Charles Leclerc by 86 points. He has committed to working with Ferrari on 2026 regulation changes.

Conclusion

Lewis Hamilton’s journey from a Stevenage council estate to the pinnacle of Formula 1 represents one of sport’s greatest narratives of perseverance and excellence. With 7 world championships, 105 victories, and countless records, he has objectively earned consideration as the greatest driver in F1 history. Yet his legacy extends far beyond statistics—through Mission 44, his advocacy for diversity and sustainability, and his refusal to conform to traditional athlete stereotypes, Hamilton has redefined what it means to be a modern sports icon.

His 2025 move to Ferrari, while challenging, adds a compelling final chapter to a career that continues to evolve. Whether he claims that elusive 8th championship or not, Hamilton’s impact on motorsport, fashion, music, and social justice is already indelible. As he approaches his 41st birthday in 2026, the racing world watches to see if “Hammertime” can deliver one more historic triumph in red.

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