Source – Formula1.com
Lewis Hamilton concluded his Mercedes tenure at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after 246 appearances over 12 years. The seven-time world champion bid farewell with passion as he gets ready to leave for Ferrari in 2025.
The bond between Lewis Hamilton and the Silver Arrows has redefined success in Formula 1, delivering record-smashing achievements and unforgettable performances. What better way to celebrate this iconic partnership than by revisiting ten of Hamilton’s most legendary moments with the Brackley squad?
Hamilton Claims Mercedes’ First Win at the 2013 Hungarian GP
Source – Formula1.com
When Lewis Hamilton left McLaren in 2013 for Mercedes, many saw it as a gamble. McLaren had been his home, the team that nurtured him to his first world championship in 2008. Meanwhile, Mercedes was still finding its footing in Formula 1, with just a single victory since their return in 2010.
Hamilton didn’t just silence the critics at the Hungarian Grand Prix; he delivered a statement. Starting from pole, he temporarily lost the lead during the pit stops but staged a stunning comeback, pulling off daring overtakes—most notably on Mark Webber’s Red Bull—to reclaim P1. The Briton’s flawless drive earned him his first win with the Silver Arrows, the first of 84, and marked the dawn of a new era for both Hamilton and Mercedes.
Epic Battle in Bahrain, Hamilton Edges Out Rosberg for 2014 Victory
Source – Los Angelis Times
The 2014 season marked the beginning of a dominant era for Hamilton and Mercedes, as they outperformed the competition by mastering the new turbo-hybrid regulations. Their superiority on the grid sparked a fierce rivalry between Hamilton and his teammate Nico Rosberg.
This rivalry began to heat up during Round 3 in Bahrain. Hamilton surged past pole-sitter Rosberg at the start to claim the lead and built a comfortable gap, only for the Safety Car to erase his advantage. After the restart, the teammates engaged in a nail-biting battle that lasted until the finish line, with Hamilton narrowly securing victory.
Hamilton Clinches First Title with Mercedes in Thrilling 2014 Abu Dhabi Finale
Source – Sky Sports
The intense rivalry between Hamilton and Rosberg raged on throughout the 2014 season, setting the stage for a dramatic title decider at the Abu Dhabi finale. Hamilton held a 16-point advantage, giving him the upper hand, but Rosberg remained in the hunt and bolstered his chances with a stunning pole position.
As the race unfolded, Hamilton seized the lead early, while Rosberg’s title hopes were dashed when an Energy Recovery System failure caused him to tumble down the order. Despite lingering concerns about Hamilton’s W05 potentially encountering similar issues, the Briton powered through to claim the race victory and secure his status as world champion.
Silverstone shines again for Hamilton as he claims his 2016 hat-trick.
Source – Eurosport
Hamilton added another championship to his tally in 2015, but the 2016 season saw a much tighter battle with Rosberg, who secured five wins in the first nine races compared to Hamilton’s three.
When the championship moved to Round 10 at Silverstone, Hamilton claimed pole and demonstrated his mastery in unpredictable weather conditions during a tricky wet-to-dry race. Crossing the finish line 8.25 seconds ahead of Max Verstappen, Hamilton notched his third consecutive British Grand Prix victory, becoming the first driver to achieve a Silverstone hat-trick since Jim Clark’s feats in the 1960s.
Hamilton’s incredible pole lap lights up the 2018 Singapore Grand Prix.
Source – Rediff
When Formula 1 arrived at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in 2018, Hamilton seemed off the pace during practice, with Red Bull and Ferrari dominating the sessions. It appeared Mercedes would not be the favorites heading into qualifying.
However, in the final moments of Q3, Hamilton delivered an extraordinary performance, lighting up the timing screens with purple sectors on his first flying lap. Clocking a time of 1m 36.015s, his lap was over three seconds faster than Sebastian Vettel’s pole time from 2017 and is widely regarded as one of the greatest laps of his career.
A heartfelt tribute to Niki Lauda as Hamilton conquers Monaco in 2019
Source – The Guardian
The 2019 Monaco Grand Prix offered a glimpse of future rivalries as Hamilton, starting from pole, faced intense pressure from Verstappen throughout the race.
In a dramatic showdown that included wheel-to-wheel battles and slight contact, Hamilton managed to hold off the Red Bull challenger and secure a hard-fought victory on the final lap. Wearing a red helmet in honor of the late Niki Lauda, who had passed away just days earlier, Hamilton expressed that he drew strength from the “spirit of Niki” to triumph in one of the season’s most challenging races.
Hamilton Defies the Odds with Dramatic Three-Wheel Victory at Silverstone
Source – Formula1.com
In the midst of a shortened season due to the Covid pandemic, the 2020 F1 race at Silverstone took place without spectators. Had fans been present, they would have witnessed one of the most dramatic race finishes in recent history.
Hamilton appeared set to extend his victory record at his home Grand Prix, but disaster struck on the final lap when his left-front tyre blew, just as Verstappen was closing in on him with fresh tires. Remarkably, Hamilton managed to nurse his car around the circuit, running on three wheels, and still held enough of a lead to secure a memorable win.
Hamilton’s seventh crown sealed at the 2020 Turkish Grand Prix
Source – MercedesF1
Hamilton’s journey with Mercedes has been filled with record-breaking moments, but one of his most emotional accomplishments came when he secured his seventh world championship. Starting from P6 on the grid at the 2020 Turkish Grand Prix, Hamilton delivered a flawless performance in challenging weather conditions, charging his way to the front. His victory not only earned him the win but also equaled Michael Schumacher’s record of seven titles, a moment that moved the British driver to tears as he completed his cooldown lap.
From P20 to P1, Hamilton’s Spectacular Performance at the 2021 Sao Paulo Grand Prix
Source – Total Motorsport
The 2021 F1 season, which was marked by a fierce title battle between Hamilton and Verstappen, saw an unforgettable moment in Sao Paulo. After being disqualified from qualifying due to a rear wing violation, the reigning world champion had to start the Sprint race from the back of the grid.
Undeterred, Hamilton made an incredible recovery, executing 15 overtakes to finish the Sprint in P5. His impressive drive continued on race day, where, despite a five-place grid penalty that saw him start from P10, he fought his way through the field to secure a remarkable victory.
Breaking a three-year drought with a victory at the 2024 British Grand Prix
Source – MercedesF1
After years of dominance, the winning streak for Hamilton and Mercedes came to an abrupt halt in 2022 due to the introduction of new ground effect regulations. The season proved tough for the team, with their only win coming from George Russell in Brazil.
The challenges persisted in 2023, as the team once again failed to secure a victory. Heading into 2024, Hamilton had not won a race since the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. But at Silverstone, in front of his home crowd, the seven-time world champion showcased an exceptional performance, claiming his first win in 945 days—a victory that was perhaps the most emotionally charged of his entire career.
