Happy birthday Lewis Hamilton! 7 UNFORGETTABLE moments from Hamilton's 7 titles
2020 will forever be remembered as the year Lewis Hamilton equaled Michael Schumacher’s record of SEVEN Formula 1 World Championships. From his dramatic win in 2008, to his final race victory in 2014, there have been some remarkable moments in each of his title wins. Here’s seven unforgettable moments from his seven World Championships!
2008 - Is that Glock?
The 2008 season finale will go down as one of the most dramatic in Formula 1 history, as the season concluded in Brazil. All Hamilton needed to do was finish in the top five but for a while it looked as if the title was heading to home favourite Felipe Massa after he comfortably won the race.
On lap 65 Hamilton switched to intermediate tyres and at the final corner, of the final lap of the final race of the season, it paid off as he crucially swept past Timo Glock to secure fifth place and a first ever Drivers' Championship. The moment has become synonymous with the phrase “Is that Glock?”
2014 - Five wins on the spin puts Hamilton in control
Following a strong start to the 2014 Formula 1 season Hamilton was in control, but a mixed spell between Monaco and Belgium, which included two retirements, allowed Nico Rosberg back into contention.
However, Hamilton pulled together a run of results which put him in control, winning in Italy, Singapore, Japan, Russia and the USA. After Rosberg won at Interlagos it went down to the season finale in Abu Dhabi where double points were on offer. That didn’t make any difference, however, as the Brit strolled to victory, taking his first title with Mercedes by 67 points.
2015 - Silverstone glory
In one of Hamilton’s most dominant title victories, the highlight of the season was his home victory at Silverstone. In recent years Silverstone has become one of Hamilton’s favourite hunting grounds, but before the 2014 rule changes, he only managed to win there once.
Having lost the lead to the fast-starting Williams pair of Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas, Hamilton preserved his tyres and made the perfect strategy work to take his fifth victory of ten that season as he became a three-time world champion, matching the tally of his hero, Ayrton Senna.
2017 - First lap carnage gifts Singapore win
The 2017 Singapore Grand Prix was a decisive moment in the race for the Drivers’ Championship. With title rival Vettel on pole and Hamilton starting in fifth, the Mercedes driver had it all to do in the race.
In one of the most remarkable starts in recent years, Vettel, Kimi Raikkonen and Max Verstappen were all alongside each other off the line until Raikkonen made contact with Verstappen on the inside and as the Finn spun, he clipped Vettel damaging his Ferrari teammate.
All three were forced to retire despite Vettel’s best efforts to continue, allowing Hamilton, who had also made a great start, to drive to victory under the Singapore lights.
2018 - German GP - Valtteri it’s James
The 2018 German Grand Prix will go down as the time Hamilton completed what seemed to be an impossible task. Heading into the race Sebasitan Vettel led the standings and it looked like it would stay that way when Hamilton suffered a hydraulics issue in Q1.
However, in wet conditions, Hamilton fought back through the field but not even he could have predicted a win. However, when Sebastian Vettel crashed, Hamilton stayed out instead of pitting behind the safety car he took the lead of the race. After Bottas attacked at the restart, James Vowles intervened with one of the most iconic radio messages in F1 history, allowing Hamilton to take his most unlikely win.
2019 - The Monaco Grand Prix
An emotional weekend in Monaco, following the passing of Niki Lauda, culminated in one of the most dramatic races of Lewis Hamilton’s career.
After qualifying on pole it looked set to be another formality for the Brit, but a set of early dramatic pit stops meant it was anything but that. Hamilton spent half the race complaining about his tyres like he’d never complained before, as well as being hounded by Max Verstappen.
Hamilton fended off the Dutchman for the best part of 50 laps with the pair making contact on lap 76. The Mercedes ultimately had too much raw speed and Hamilton came over the line in first, dedicating the win to Lauda.
2020 - SEVEN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
The 2020 Turkish Grand Prix will go down as the race where Lewis Hamilton equalled Schumacher’s record. Another unlikely win, as he benefited from crazy conditions, a very slippery track and mistakes from other drivers, in a race that completely summed up the 2020 season.
Despite qualifying sixth, almost five seconds slower than pole sitter Lance Stroll, Hamilton kept his composure to take his tenth win of the season as those around him struggled with the conditions. An emotional Hamilton was joined on the podium by Sergio Perez and Sebastian Vettel, following a memorable race.
That’s our favourite Hamilton moments from his seven title winning season, but what’s your favourite Hamilton moment? Let us know in the comments below and if you haven't already subscribe to our YouTube channel so you keep up to date with our latest video content!