This weekend, under the shimmering floodlights of Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit, Lewis Hamilton will don the Mercedes badge for one final time, leaving us with an electrifying yet bittersweet finale. For over a decade, this partnership has been less of a team-up and more of a motorsport dynasty. Together, Hamilton and Mercedes rewrote the Formula 1 record books, made pole positions look easy, and made winning look effortless.
From the moment Hamilton swapped McLaren for Mercedes in 2013, skeptics wondered if it was a risk. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t. Their dominance reshaped the sport, cementing a legacy that redefined what it means to win in Formula 1.
But saying goodbye is never easy, especially when it marks the end of an era that has defined a sport. From his first championship in silver to nail-biting victories that left even the steeliest fans breathless, Hamilton’s journey with Mercedes has been nothing short of extraordinary.
Before the chequered flag waves on Sunday, let’s dive into the moments that made Hamilton and Mercedes the ultimate dream team and solidified Hamilton as one of the greatest drivers to ever grace the grid.
2013: THE BIG MOVE
When Hamilton joined Mercedes in 2013, skeptics called it a gamble. Trading McLaren’s legacy for a team still finding its footing? Bold. But Hamilton saw the long game and how right he was. His first season wasn’t championship-worthy, but it laid the foundation for a partnership that would dominate the next decade.
2014: THE START OF A DYNASTY
The turbo-hybrid era kicked off, and Hamilton was unstoppable. With 11 wins that season, he clinched his second world title, edging out teammate Nico Rosberg in a tense showdown in Abu Dhabi. It wasn’t just a championship; it was a statement. Mercedes had arrived.
2015: DOMINATING THE GRID
Hamilton secured his third world title, winning a commanding ten races and finishing on the podium in nearly every race. This was one of the most dominant seasons in recent F1 history.
2016: A RIVALRY ON THE GRID
While Hamilton narrowly missed out on the championship to Rosberg in 2016, the rivalry between the two teammates became one of the most intense in F1 history. Rosberg’s title was a bittersweet moment for Mercedes, but Hamilton’s resilience in such a tight season showcased his unrelenting drive.
2017: RECORD-BREAKING VICTORY AT THE BRITISH GRAND PRIX
Hamilton achieved his fifth British Grand Prix win, making it a milestone for his career. This victory also pushed him closer to surpassing some of F1’s all-time greats.
2018: WINNING HIS FIFTH WORLD TITLE
Hamilton clinched his fifth World Championship in dramatic fashion at the Mexican Grand Prix. His drive to win and the way he managed the season, often under immense pressure, solidified his place among F1’s elite.
2019: THE YEAR OF DOMINANCE
Hamilton secured his sixth world title, completing yet another dominant season with Mercedes. His victories in races like Hungary and the U.S. Grand Prix demonstrated his tactical brilliance and consistency.
2020: EQUALING SCHUMACHER’S RECORD
Hamilton’s most remarkable achievement with Mercedes came in 2020 when he won his seventh World Championship, equaling Michael Schumacher‘s record. His performance throughout the season, winning 11 out of 17 races, was nothing short of extraordinary, making him the undisputed king of the hybrid era.
2021: DRAMATIC WIN AT THE BRAZILIAN GRAND PRIX
The 2021 Brazilian Grand Prix weekend was a masterclass from Lewis Hamilton. In the Sprint Race, after being disqualified from qualifying for a technical infringement, Hamilton started last and surged to 5th in just 24 laps. Despite this recovery, a grid penalty for an engine change pushed him to 10th for the main race. On Sunday, Hamilton delivered a phenomenal performance, skillfully overtaking his rivals—including an intense battle with Max Verstappen—to claim victory. His charge from P10 to the top, combined with Mercedes’ strategic excellence, secured one of the most memorable wins of his career.
2021: THE UNFORGETTABLE HEARTBREAK
The 2021 season brought a thrilling rivalry between Hamilton and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, with the two drivers battling for the title until the final race in Abu Dhabi. No list is complete without the gut-wrenching 2021 finale. The dramatic—and controversial—last-lap restart cost Hamilton his eighth title. It wasn’t the ending he or his fans wanted, but his grace and sportsmanship in the aftermath showed the
Since 2021, Lewis Hamilton has continued to cement his legacy in Formula 1 by achieving remarkable milestones. Most notably, in 2024, he won the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, marking his record-breaking ninth victory at a single circuit—a feat unmatched in Formula 1 history. This victory also made him the first driver to secure a win after competing in more than 300 races, demonstrating incredible longevity and resilience in his career.
Additionally, Hamilton remains tied with Michael Schumacher for the most World Drivers’ Championships, at seven, and holds records for the most pole positions and race wins in F1 history. His British GP victory was particularly significant, ending a winless streak since 2021 and proving his enduring competitiveness. His move to Ferrari in 2025 is a bold shift that signals a new chapter in his iconic F1 career.
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