Mercedes

Biography

Lewis Hamilton, born on 7 January 1985 in Stevenage, England, is a British racing driver who competes in Formula One for Mercedes. He is one of the most successful Formula One drivers of all time, holding a joint-record of seven World Drivers' Championship titles.

Hamilton's driving career began at the age of eight. By the age of ten, he had won the British Kart Championship. At 13, Hamilton was signed to the McLaren and Mercedes-Benz Young Driver Support Programme. His subsequent achievements in karting and single-seater racing culminated in winning the GP2 championship in 2006, leading to his Formula One debut with McLaren in 2007.

In his rookie season, Hamilton set numerous records and finished second in the championship. The following year, he won his maiden title in dramatic fashion, becoming the then-youngest ever Formula One World Champion. After six years with McLaren, Hamilton moved to Mercedes in 2013 and has since won six more drivers' titles.

Known for his aggressive driving style and resilience, Hamilton has been a dominant force in the sport, particularly since the introduction of turbo-hybrid engines in 2014. Off the track, Hamilton is known for his activism and philanthropy, especially in the areas of racial equality and environmental sustainability.

Lewis Hamilton, with a net worth estimated at $285 million as of 2021, is one of the wealthiest Formula 1 drivers. His annual base salary from his last contract with Mercedes was around £40 million. Besides his salary, Hamilton earns significantly from endorsements, contributing greatly to his earnings. He has deals with companies like Vodafone-USD, Mercedes-Benz, Police, Bose, Puma, L'Oréal, Sony, Monster Energy, and Tommy Hilfiger, earning him around $12 million between May 2019 and May 2020.