{"id":19745,"date":"2021-03-29T00:29:56","date_gmt":"2021-03-29T05:29:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/?p=19745"},"modified":"2021-03-29T00:29:56","modified_gmt":"2021-03-29T05:29:56","slug":"lewis-hamilton-the-goat-of-f1-seven-times-champion-and-mercedes-pull-off-strategic-coup-as-lewis-hamilton-holds-off-verstappen-for-tactically-brilliant-win-at-bahrain-gp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/?p=19745","title":{"rendered":"lewis Hamilton, the goat of f1, Seven-times champion and Mercedes pull off strategic coup, as lewis Hamilton holds off Verstappen for tactically brilliant win at Bahrain GP"},"content":{"rendered":"<header class=\"article-header\">\n<h2>Lewis beats Max<\/h2>\n<aside class=\"inline inline-photo full\">\n<figure><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/a.espncdn.com\/combiner\/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2021%2F0328%2Fr833187_1296x729_16%2D9.jpg&amp;w=570&amp;format=jpg, https:\/\/a.espncdn.com\/combiner\/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2021%2F0328%2Fr833187_1296x729_16%2D9.jpg&amp;w=1140&amp;cquality=40&amp;format=jpg 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 376px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/a.espncdn.com\/combiner\/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2021%2F0328%2Fr833187_1296x729_16%2D9.jpg&amp;w=570&amp;format=jpg, https:\/\/a.espncdn.com\/combiner\/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2021%2F0328%2Fr833187_1296x729_16%2D9.jpg&amp;w=1140&amp;cquality=40&amp;format=jpg 2x\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/a.espncdn.com\/combiner\/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2021%2F0328%2Fr833187_1296x729_16%2D9.jpg&amp;w=375, https:\/\/a.espncdn.com\/combiner\/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2021%2F0328%2Fr833187_1296x729_16%2D9.jpg&amp;w=750&amp;cquality=40&amp;format=jpg 2x\" media=\"(max-width: 375px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/a.espncdn.com\/combiner\/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2021%2F0328%2Fr833187_1296x729_16%2D9.jpg&amp;w=375, https:\/\/a.espncdn.com\/combiner\/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2021%2F0328%2Fr833187_1296x729_16%2D9.jpg&amp;w=750&amp;cquality=40&amp;format=jpg 2x\" \/><img class=\" lazyloaded imageLoaded \" data-image-container=\".inline-photo\" \/><\/picture><figcaption class=\"photoCaption\"><strong>Lewis Hamilton claimed his 96th<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/aside>\n<h1 class=\"css-dxy9hs\">How Hamilton beat Verstappen with a slower car at the Bahrain Grand Prix, holds off Verstappen for tactically brilliant win at Bahrain GP.<\/h1>\n<p>@LewisHamilton<\/p>\n<p><strong>For all the millions of dollars and labour hours invested by Mercedes and Red Bull over the winter, the two cars that Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen raced on Sunday evening were split by just 0.7s after 300km of racing.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>The close finish was the best result Formula One could have hoped for and teases the potential for the most exciting title battle in years.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>What made the race so great was that it could have gone either way.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>On pure performance, Red Bull had the edge, but Mercedes was close enough that a clever tyre strategy had the potential to turn the tables.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Hamilton drove one of the best races of his career. Verstappen, it&#8217;s fair to say, did not. But the two hours of entertainment that resulted was absolute box office.<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"css-pn0kqp\">\n<div class=\"css-krkkhw\">\n<div class=\"css-nzznp8\">\n<figure>\n<div class=\"css-1nfcn93\"><strong><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/cae01c6d13b423c4e4c6228a1fe6b47cd3dc4120\/342_0_5130_3078\/master\/5130.jpg?width=620&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=fb741c775a83cf1b5cc12c6b7b8a12cb 1240w,https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/cae01c6d13b423c4e4c6228a1fe6b47cd3dc4120\/342_0_5130_3078\/master\/5130.jpg?width=605&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=503e204f09ceae7e587f784e10a2f4df 1210w,https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/cae01c6d13b423c4e4c6228a1fe6b47cd3dc4120\/342_0_5130_3078\/master\/5130.jpg?width=445&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=018c0540779afd51a8ed850e7f11640d 890w\" media=\"(-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" sizes=\"(min-width: 660px) 620px, 100vw\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/cae01c6d13b423c4e4c6228a1fe6b47cd3dc4120\/342_0_5130_3078\/master\/5130.jpg?width=620&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=b0ffd1d41c62752df73048b567dacc7a 620w,https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/cae01c6d13b423c4e4c6228a1fe6b47cd3dc4120\/342_0_5130_3078\/master\/5130.jpg?width=605&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=812d453401289e47a7f39e9311c39336 605w,https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/cae01c6d13b423c4e4c6228a1fe6b47cd3dc4120\/342_0_5130_3078\/master\/5130.jpg?width=445&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=47bbd915105fe5e4c3bdf56cfd75d812 445w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 660px) 620px, 100vw\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"css-uk6cul\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/cae01c6d13b423c4e4c6228a1fe6b47cd3dc4120\/342_0_5130_3078\/master\/5130.jpg?width=445&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=018c0540779afd51a8ed850e7f11640d\" alt=\"Lewis Hamilton embraces his Mercedes team after sealing a stunning win at the Bahrain Grand Prix.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1200\" \/><\/picture><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-pn0kqp\">\n<div class=\"css-krkkhw\">\n<div class=\"css-nzznp8\">\n<figure><figcaption class=\"css-xe26t6\"><strong><span class=\"css-1u9p6vd\">Lewis Hamilton embraces his Mercedes team after sealing a stunning win at the Bahrain Grand Prix.<\/span><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-15ibrj7\">\n<div class=\"css-vhmh2u\">\n<div class=\"article-body-commercial-selector css-79elbk article-body-viewer-selector\">\n<p class=\"css-19t0h2c\"><strong>With his victory at the Bahrain Grand Prix <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/lewis-hamilton\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Lewis Hamilton<\/a> delivered an emphatic and salutary reminder that if Max Verstappen is to wrest the title from the champion\u2019s grasp he will be fought every inch of the way.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"css-19t0h2c\"><strong>Formula One moreover could not have asked for a more spectacular, gripping finale to the season-opening race than the deciding laps at the Sakhir circuit. Hamilton\u2019s win for Mercedes over Red Bull\u2019s Verstappen was as unexpected as it was enthralling and it was the fight the sport had been waiting for.<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure id=\"c7a4cd6e-8fd0-4276-bae9-09bc65399f3d\" class=\"css-1mfia18\">\n<div class=\"css-mozjxl\" data-print-layout=\"hide\" data-link-name=\"rich-link-0 | 0\" data-component=\"rich-link\" data-name=\"\">\n<div class=\"css-s7oxzu\">\n<div class=\"css-1m5f2q7\"><\/div>\n<div><strong><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"css-ducv57\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/8521524b1d7531e7252632784aa131997908990b\/0_134_3691_2215\/master\/3691.jpg?width=460&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=a82b36240afe3c4084aa11215da97f20\" alt=\"\" \/><\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"css-upffb1\">\n<div class=\"css-m4qltb\">\n<div class=\"css-1gqsble\"><strong>Lewis Hamilton&#8217;s genius faces fresh test as he aims for record eighth title<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"css-19t0h2c\"><strong>The new season had promised a potential contest between the 23-year-old Verstappen, for the first time in his career in machinery that can challenge for the title, and the 36-year-old Hamilton, attempting to take his eighth championship.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"css-19t0h2c\"><strong>It was a mouthwatering prospect and the pair duly delivered in a climax that was impossible to predict until the chequered flag flew. When ultimately Hamilton and Mercedes had taken one of their most unlikely wins <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/2021\/mar\/27\/max-verstappen-edges-out-lewis-hamilton-for-f1-bahrain-gp-pole\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">given the form book going into the race<\/a>, the scale of the achievement was clear as the team celebrated almost as if they had won the title.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"css-19t0h2c\"><strong>The pair vied for the lead right across the final six laps, Hamilton in front and Verstappen charging. For brief seconds the Dutchman took the lead only for the highest drama to play out at high speed.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"css-19t0h2c\"><strong>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/red-bull\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Red Bull<\/a> driver had the place but had to allow Hamilton to take it back as he had gone off the track to make the move, against the rules which are hard and fast in this scenario. Verstappen was left to rue not quite calling it to perfection after a race he had, until that point, executed with inch-perfect precision.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"css-19t0h2c\"><strong>\u201cThe pressure was immense.\u201d Hamilton said. \u201cHe is a fantastic driver and they have the quicker car. That was one of the hardest races I have had for a while. We had such a great fight here and they are going to come back with a vengeance in the next race.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure class=\"css-10khgmf\">\n<div class=\"css-1nfcn93\"><strong><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/a40528fa10c332f4a987b50d167f3f63108fd13a\/904_713_3783_2271\/master\/3783.jpg?width=620&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=8d55d52afc0a01bae35f11d1cdf102ab 1240w,https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/a40528fa10c332f4a987b50d167f3f63108fd13a\/904_713_3783_2271\/master\/3783.jpg?width=605&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=a44e130c0d041465cc12e200399177cb 1210w,https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/a40528fa10c332f4a987b50d167f3f63108fd13a\/904_713_3783_2271\/master\/3783.jpg?width=445&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=3c20829cec9912838f08cc40304c75e8 890w\" media=\"(-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" sizes=\"(min-width: 660px) 620px, 100vw\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/a40528fa10c332f4a987b50d167f3f63108fd13a\/904_713_3783_2271\/master\/3783.jpg?width=620&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=270ffa1dbd6ea300ecf41be1e4415651 620w,https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/a40528fa10c332f4a987b50d167f3f63108fd13a\/904_713_3783_2271\/master\/3783.jpg?width=605&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=4780b004d54cdee021633302e3b00176 605w,https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/a40528fa10c332f4a987b50d167f3f63108fd13a\/904_713_3783_2271\/master\/3783.jpg?width=445&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=b6b1624903489e2c971a4be8bc6fbcbf 445w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 660px) 620px, 100vw\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"css-uk6cul\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/a40528fa10c332f4a987b50d167f3f63108fd13a\/904_713_3783_2271\/master\/3783.jpg?width=445&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=3c20829cec9912838f08cc40304c75e8\" alt=\"Lewis Hamilton leads Max Verstappen in Bahrain.\" width=\"3783\" height=\"2271\" \/><\/picture><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<figure class=\"css-10khgmf\"><figcaption class=\"css-xe26t6\"><strong><span class=\"css-1u9p6vd\">Lewis Hamilton leads Max Verstappen in Bahrain.<\/span><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"css-19t0h2c\"><strong>The victory was clearly of immense satisfaction to the world champion, coming as it did with Mercedes under the cosh against Red Bull who had been faster all weekend, quickest across practice and with a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/2021\/mar\/27\/max-verstappen-edges-out-lewis-hamilton-for-f1-bahrain-gp-pole\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">clear pace advantage in qualifying<\/a>. Yet when it mattered \u2013 as they have done so many times in the past \u2013 Mercedes and Hamilton were able to find another level. The team has been superlative operationally in winning the past seven drivers\u2019 and constructors\u2019 championships and they once again delivered at the Sakhir circuit. They could not match the Red Bull for pace but pulled off a coup.<\/strong><\/p>\n<div id=\"dfp-ad--inline1\" class=\"js-ad-slot ad-slot ad-slot--inline ad-slot--inline1\" data-link-name=\"ad slot inline1\" data-name=\"inline1\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-mobile=\"1,1|2,2|300,197|300,250|300,274|fluid\" data-phablet=\"1,1|2,2|300,197|300,250|300,274|620,350|550,310|fluid\" data-desktop=\"1,1|2,2|300,250|300,274|620,1|620,350|550,310|fluid\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-15779\" src=\"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/1498390668327_lc_galleryImage_Mercedes_driver_Lewis_Ham-300x206.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"206\" srcset=\"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/1498390668327_lc_galleryImage_Mercedes_driver_Lewis_Ham-300x206.jpg 300w, https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/1498390668327_lc_galleryImage_Mercedes_driver_Lewis_Ham.jpg 574w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/div>\n<p class=\"css-19t0h2c\"><strong>Mercedes had done all they could with an alternate tyre strategy to give Hamilton a shot at Verstappen while Red Bull held their nerve and stuck to their own plan.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"css-19t0h2c\"><strong>The two drivers were in a race of their own out front and a cat-and-mouse series of pit stops ensued but after both had stopped twice Verstappen emerged eight seconds behind Hamilton, the world champion leading with 16 laps remaining but with tyres that he had already run for 10 laps.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"css-19t0h2c\"><strong>Red Bull had brought Verstappen in on lap 40 for his final stop and it was a straight fight for the win. He set about the task and duly flew, catching the champion on lap 50. Two laps later he was on his gearbox as Hamilton\u2019s worn tyres told, and the hard but fair racing was unmissable. The British driver defended stoutly but Verstappen passed him on lap 53 at the outside of turn four only to edge just wide putting all four wheels off the track. A tiny margin but enough to ultimately cost him the race. A reminder also that with passing in these cars so hard, the track position Mercedes had opted for proved the better option.<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure id=\"96a4bcdb-8cf9-4a63-9052-3f1fd0fe91cb\" class=\"css-1mfia18\">\n<div class=\"css-mozjxl\" data-print-layout=\"hide\" data-link-name=\"rich-link-1 | 1\" data-component=\"rich-link\" data-name=\"\">\n<div class=\"css-s7oxzu\">\n<div class=\"css-1m5f2q7\"><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"css-upffb1\">\n<div class=\"css-m4qltb\">\n<div class=\"css-1gqsble\"><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-17217\" src=\"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/monaco_qualifying_lewis_hamilton_p1-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/monaco_qualifying_lewis_hamilton_p1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/monaco_qualifying_lewis_hamilton_p1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/monaco_qualifying_lewis_hamilton_p1.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<div class=\"css-vhmh2u\">\n<div class=\"article-body-commercial-selector css-79elbk article-body-viewer-selector\">\n<p class=\"css-19t0h2c\"><strong>Verstappen had three laps to try again but his tyres had passed their best, he could not get close enough and Hamilton showed all his experience to hold the lead and take the victory by only seven-tenths of a second.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"css-19t0h2c\"><strong>It is now 30 years since his father first raced and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/2021\/mar\/27\/mick-schumacher-weight-of-the-name-light-as-a-feather-f1-haas\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Mick Schumacher<\/a> of the Haas team, the 22 year-old son of seven-time world champion Michael, had a spin early in the race on his F1 debut but recovered to finish in 16th. The double world champion Fernando Alonso, in his return to F1 after a two-year absence, had to retire with brake problems on lap 34.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"css-19t0h2c\"><strong>Hamilton\u2019s teammate Valtteri Bottas was in third and Lando Norris was an excellent fourth for McLaren. Sergio P\u00e9rez did well to recover his Red Bull to finish fifth having started at the back after a mechanical problem on the formation lap.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"css-19t0h2c\"><strong>The seven-times world champion Hamilton knows he is up against it this season and securing every point may prove vital in a title fight that could go to the wire. There are 22 more races between now and December and if this is what the season holds in store Formula One has the makings of classic championship fight on its hands.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-1nupfq9\">\n<div class=\"css-krkkhw\">\n<div class=\"css-13n7o1j\">\n<h1 class=\"css-dxy9hs\">Lewis Hamilton says Bahrain GP win proves it&#8217;s more about talent than car<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-zjgnrw\">\n<div class=\"css-1guwuj9\" data-print-layout=\"hide\">\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Opening win a \u2018chance to prove people wrong\u2019, says Hamilton<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Mercedes driver adds: \u2018We\u2019re not the fastest: that\u2019s all good\u2019<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-pn0kqp\">\n<div class=\"css-krkkhw\">\n<div class=\"css-nzznp8\">\n<figure>\n<div class=\"css-1nfcn93\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/49cf6ff826c469bf8da1f5a642da0eb490101c74\/0_118_5392_3235\/master\/5392.jpg?width=620&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=a644bf1d17d83744c615403cd729256f 1240w,https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/49cf6ff826c469bf8da1f5a642da0eb490101c74\/0_118_5392_3235\/master\/5392.jpg?width=605&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=e2e26e4bc2b996036d3bd32a2969b561 1210w,https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/49cf6ff826c469bf8da1f5a642da0eb490101c74\/0_118_5392_3235\/master\/5392.jpg?width=445&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=d6bb45eeae191436e56fd7f2c8363755 890w\" media=\"(-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min-resolution: 120dpi)\" sizes=\"(min-width: 660px) 620px, 100vw\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/49cf6ff826c469bf8da1f5a642da0eb490101c74\/0_118_5392_3235\/master\/5392.jpg?width=620&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=fc6e0f9c7d517570c0597395ddfc4bb2 620w,https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/49cf6ff826c469bf8da1f5a642da0eb490101c74\/0_118_5392_3235\/master\/5392.jpg?width=605&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=3fadfd5daf6e65f80dcba31c5080261b 605w,https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/49cf6ff826c469bf8da1f5a642da0eb490101c74\/0_118_5392_3235\/master\/5392.jpg?width=445&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=2394289cb63c1a9f09b321230af01036 445w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 660px) 620px, 100vw\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"css-uk6cul\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/49cf6ff826c469bf8da1f5a642da0eb490101c74\/0_118_5392_3235\/master\/5392.jpg?width=445&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=d6bb45eeae191436e56fd7f2c8363755\" alt=\"Lewis Hamilton celebrates his remarkable win at the Bahrain Grand Prix as fireworks erupt in the background at the Sakhir circuit.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1200\" \/><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-pn0kqp\">\n<div class=\"css-krkkhw\">\n<div class=\"css-nzznp8\">\n<figure><figcaption class=\"css-xe26t6\"><strong><span class=\"css-1u9p6vd\">Lewis Hamilton celebrates his remarkable win at the Bahrain Grand Prix as fireworks erupt in the background at the Sakhir circuit.<\/span><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-15ibrj7\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"css-vhmh2u\">\n<div class=\"article-body-commercial-selector css-79elbk article-body-viewer-selector\">\n<p class=\"css-19t0h2c\"><strong>Lewis Hamilton celebrated his victory against the odds at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix as again proving that he can make the difference behind the wheel.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"css-19t0h2c\"><strong>The world champion beat Red Bull\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/max-verstappen\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Max Verstappen<\/a> into second after a thrilling finish in what he predicted would be an enthralling season-long fight between the pair of such intensity it was likely to turn his hair grey.<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure id=\"a7c98cc6-5963-4874-bbc4-e187dd17b8f8\" class=\"css-1mfia18\">\n<div class=\"css-mozjxl\" data-print-layout=\"hide\" data-link-name=\"rich-link-0 | 0\" data-component=\"rich-link\" data-name=\"\">\n<div class=\"css-s7oxzu\">\n<div><strong><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"css-ducv57\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/cae01c6d13b423c4e4c6228a1fe6b47cd3dc4120\/342_0_5130_3078\/master\/5130.jpg?width=460&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=d6dda18e35c435db54cd33202a5c4c86\" alt=\"\" \/><\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"css-upffb1\">\n<div class=\"css-m4qltb\">\n<div class=\"css-1gqsble\"><strong>Hamilton holds off Verstappen for tactically brilliant win at Bahrain GP<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-10wr03c\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-vhmh2u\">\n<div class=\"article-body-commercial-selector css-79elbk article-body-viewer-selector\">\n<p class=\"css-19t0h2c\"><strong>In Bahrain <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/red-bull\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Red Bull<\/a> had the pace advantage. Hamilton is attempting to take a record eighth title this year but has in the past fended off accusations that his success has been attributable to being in the best car. Here was unequivocal evidence against that suggestion, he said.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"css-19t0h2c\"><strong>\u201cThere are always opportunities to prove people wrong and today is definitely one of them,\u201d he said. \u201cThere have been many in the past and I hope there are many in the future to be able to show what I was able to do today. We don\u2019t have the fastest car at the moment, that\u2019s all good for me. I don\u2019t mind having to pull out extra in order to make the difference.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"css-19t0h2c\"><strong>Verstappen definitively had the quickest car over the weekend but Mercedes had the more successful strategy while Hamilton was able to nurse his worn tyres at the end, holding off the Red Bull after high drama when Verstappen took the lead only to have to hand it back having gone off track to do so.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"css-19t0h2c\"><strong>It was enthralling racing and suggests a real battle between the pair is on the cards this season. The British driver was revelling in the prospect.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"css-19t0h2c\"><strong>\u201cI loved every minute of it,\u201d he said. \u201cI am super happy for the fans that they are excited, this is something they have wanted for a long time. It\u2019s only one race, we don\u2019t know what the future holds. With the pace they have they could be ahead a lot more but we are going to work as hard as we can to stay close in this battle and I hope for a lot more races with Max. It\u2019s a long way to go, 22 races, holy crap, I will be grey by the end of it.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h1 id=\"firstHeading\" class=\"firstHeading\">WHO IS &#8220;Lewis Hamilton&#8221;, THE GOAT OF F1 RACING&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;<\/h1>\n<h1 id=\"firstHeading\" class=\"firstHeading\">Lewis Hamilton&#8217;s Career Results, YTD&#8230;.<\/h1>\n<div id=\"bodyContent\" class=\"mw-body-content\">\n<div id=\"mw-content-text\" class=\"mw-content-ltr\" dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">\n<div class=\"mw-parser-output\">\n<table class=\"infobox biography vcard\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th colspan=\"2\">\n<div class=\"honorific-prefix\"><strong><a title=\"Sir\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Sir\">Sir<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"fn\"><strong>Lewis Hamilton<\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"honorific-suffix\"><strong><span class=\"noexcerpt nowraplinks\"><a title=\"Order of the British Empire\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Order_of_the_British_Empire\">MBE<\/a> <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Honorary Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Honorary_Fellow_of_the_Royal_Academy_of_Engineering\">HonFREng<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"2\"><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Lewis_Hamilton_2016_Malaysia_2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/1\/18\/Lewis_Hamilton_2016_Malaysia_2.jpg\/220px-Lewis_Hamilton_2016_Malaysia_2.jpg\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/1\/18\/Lewis_Hamilton_2016_Malaysia_2.jpg\/330px-Lewis_Hamilton_2016_Malaysia_2.jpg 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/1\/18\/Lewis_Hamilton_2016_Malaysia_2.jpg\/440px-Lewis_Hamilton_2016_Malaysia_2.jpg 2x\" alt=\"Lewis Hamilton 2016 Malaysia 2.jpg\" width=\"220\" height=\"330\" data-file-width=\"800\" data-file-height=\"1200\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<div><strong>Hamilton at the <a title=\"2016 Malaysian Grand Prix\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2016_Malaysian_Grand_Prix\">2016 Malaysian Grand Prix<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th scope=\"row\"><strong>Born<\/strong><\/th>\n<td>\n<div class=\"nickname\"><strong>Lewis Carl Davidson Hamilton<sup id=\"cite_ref-Hamilton_1-0\" class=\"reference\"><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Lewis_Hamilton#cite_note-Hamilton-1\">[1]<\/a><\/sup><\/strong><\/div>\n<p><strong>7 January 1985<span class=\"noprint ForceAgeToShow\"> (age\u00a036)<\/span><sup id=\"cite_ref-Kelso_2-0\" class=\"reference\"><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Lewis_Hamilton#cite_note-Kelso-2\">[2]<\/a><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"birthplace\"><strong><a title=\"Stevenage\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Stevenage\">Stevenage<\/a>, <a title=\"Hertfordshire\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Hertfordshire\">Hertfordshire<\/a>, England<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th scope=\"row\"><strong>Occupation<\/strong><\/th>\n<td class=\"role\">\n<div class=\"hlist hlist-separated\">\n<ul>\n<li><strong><a title=\"List of Formula One drivers\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/List_of_Formula_One_drivers\">Racing driver<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th scope=\"row\"><strong>Parent(s)<\/strong><\/th>\n<td>\n<div class=\"plainlist\">\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Anthony Hamilton<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Carmen Larbalestier<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th scope=\"row\"><strong>Family<\/strong><\/th>\n<td><strong><a title=\"Nicolas Hamilton\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Nicolas_Hamilton\">Nicolas Hamilton<\/a> (brother)<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"2\"><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th colspan=\"2\"><strong><a title=\"Formula One\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Formula_One\">Formula One<\/a> World Championship career<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th scope=\"row\"><strong><a title=\"FIA Super Licence\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/FIA_Super_Licence#Nationality_of_drivers\">Nationality<\/a><\/strong><\/th>\n<td><strong><span class=\"flagicon\"><a title=\"United Kingdom\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/United_Kingdom\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"thumbborder\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/en\/thumb\/a\/ae\/Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom.svg\/23px-Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom.svg.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/en\/thumb\/a\/ae\/Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom.svg\/35px-Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom.svg.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/en\/thumb\/a\/ae\/Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom.svg\/46px-Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom.svg.png 2x\" alt=\"United Kingdom\" width=\"23\" height=\"12\" data-file-width=\"1200\" data-file-height=\"600\" \/><\/a><\/span> British<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th scope=\"row\"><strong>Car number<\/strong><\/th>\n<td><strong>44<sup id=\"cite_ref-6\" class=\"reference\"><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Lewis_Hamilton#cite_note-6\">[note 1]<\/a><\/sup><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th scope=\"row\"><strong>Entries<\/strong><\/th>\n<td><strong>267 (267 starts)<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th scope=\"row\"><strong><a title=\"List of Formula One World Drivers' Champions\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/List_of_Formula_One_World_Drivers%27_Champions\">Championships<\/a><\/strong><\/th>\n<td><strong>7 (<a title=\"2008 Formula One World Championship\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2008_Formula_One_World_Championship\">2008<\/a>, <a title=\"2014 Formula One World Championship\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2014_Formula_One_World_Championship\">2014<\/a>, <a title=\"2015 Formula One World Championship\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2015_Formula_One_World_Championship\">2015<\/a>, <a title=\"2017 Formula One World Championship\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2017_Formula_One_World_Championship\">2017<\/a>, <a title=\"2018 Formula One World Championship\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2018_Formula_One_World_Championship\">2018<\/a>, <a title=\"2019 Formula One World Championship\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2019_Formula_One_World_Championship\">2019<\/a>, <a title=\"2020 Formula One World Championship\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2020_Formula_One_World_Championship\">2020<\/a>)<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th scope=\"row\"><strong><a title=\"List of Formula One Grand Prix winners\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/List_of_Formula_One_Grand_Prix_winners\">Wins<\/a><\/strong><\/th>\n<td><strong><a title=\"List of Formula One Grand Prix wins by Lewis Hamilton\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/List_of_Formula_One_Grand_Prix_wins_by_Lewis_Hamilton\">96<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th scope=\"row\"><strong>Podiums<\/strong><\/th>\n<td><strong>166<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th scope=\"row\"><strong>Career points<\/strong><\/th>\n<td><strong>3803<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th scope=\"row\"><strong><a title=\"List of Formula One polesitters\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/List_of_Formula_One_polesitters\">Pole positions<\/a><\/strong><\/th>\n<td><strong>98<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th scope=\"row\"><strong><a title=\"List of Formula One drivers who set a fastest lap\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/List_of_Formula_One_drivers_who_set_a_fastest_lap\">Fastest laps<\/a><\/strong><\/th>\n<td><strong>53<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th scope=\"row\"><strong>First entry<\/strong><\/th>\n<td><strong><a title=\"2007 Australian Grand Prix\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2007_Australian_Grand_Prix\">2007 Australian Grand Prix<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th scope=\"row\"><strong>First win<\/strong><\/th>\n<td><strong><a title=\"2007 Canadian Grand Prix\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2007_Canadian_Grand_Prix\">2007 Canadian Grand Prix<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th scope=\"row\"><strong>Last win<\/strong><\/th>\n<td><strong><a title=\"2021 Bahrain Grand Prix\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2021_Bahrain_Grand_Prix\">2021 Bahrain Grand Prix<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th scope=\"row\"><strong>Last entry<\/strong><\/th>\n<td><strong><a title=\"2021 Bahrain Grand Prix\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2021_Bahrain_Grand_Prix\">2021 Bahrain Grand Prix<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th scope=\"row\"><strong><a title=\"2020 Formula One World Championship\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2020_Formula_One_World_Championship\">2020<\/a> position<\/strong><\/th>\n<td><strong>1st (347 pts)<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th scope=\"row\"><strong>Website<\/strong><\/th>\n<td><strong><span class=\"url\"><a class=\"external text\" href=\"http:\/\/lewishamilton.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow\">lewishamilton<wbr \/>.com<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th colspan=\"2\"><strong>Signature<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"2\"><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Signature_de_Lewis_Hamilton_png.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/f\/f5\/Signature_de_Lewis_Hamilton_png.png\/100px-Signature_de_Lewis_Hamilton_png.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/f\/f5\/Signature_de_Lewis_Hamilton_png.png\/150px-Signature_de_Lewis_Hamilton_png.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/f\/f5\/Signature_de_Lewis_Hamilton_png.png\/200px-Signature_de_Lewis_Hamilton_png.png 2x\" alt=\"Signature de Lewis Hamilton png.png\" width=\"100\" height=\"80\" data-file-width=\"240\" data-file-height=\"191\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table class=\"sidebar nomobile vcard hlist\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"sidebar-title\">\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Lewis_Hamilton_2017_Malaysia.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"thumbborder\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/1\/18\/Lewis_Hamilton_2017_Malaysia.jpg\/75px-Lewis_Hamilton_2017_Malaysia.jpg\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/1\/18\/Lewis_Hamilton_2017_Malaysia.jpg\/113px-Lewis_Hamilton_2017_Malaysia.jpg 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/1\/18\/Lewis_Hamilton_2017_Malaysia.jpg\/150px-Lewis_Hamilton_2017_Malaysia.jpg 2x\" alt=\"A man in a white t-shirt and glasses looks into the distance above and to the right of the photographer.\" width=\"75\" height=\"113\" data-file-width=\"800\" data-file-height=\"1200\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>This article is part of a series about<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong><span class=\"vcard\"><span class=\"fn\"><a class=\"mw-selflink selflink\">Sir Lewis Hamilton<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"sidebar-content\"><strong><a title=\"Formula One drivers from the United Kingdom\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Formula_One_drivers_from_the_United_Kingdom\">British racing driver<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><a title=\"Formula One career of Lewis Hamilton\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Formula_One_career_of_Lewis_Hamilton\">Formula One career<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><a title=\"List of Formula One Grand Prix wins by Lewis Hamilton\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/List_of_Formula_One_Grand_Prix_wins_by_Lewis_Hamilton\">Grand Prix wins<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><a title=\"Lewis Hamilton\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Lewis_Hamilton#Racist_treatment\">Racist treatment<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>Rivalries<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><a title=\"Lewis Hamilton\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Lewis_Hamilton#Fernando_Alonso\">Fernando Alonso<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><a title=\"Hamilton\u2013Rosberg rivalry\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Hamilton%E2%80%93Rosberg_rivalry\">Nico Rosberg<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"sidebar-navbar\">\n<div class=\"navbar plainlinks hlist navbar-mini\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"nv-view\"><strong><a title=\"Template:Lewis Hamilton series\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Template:Lewis_Hamilton_series\"><abbr title=\"View this template\">v<\/abbr><\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li class=\"nv-talk\"><strong><a title=\"Template talk:Lewis Hamilton series\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Template_talk:Lewis_Hamilton_series\"><abbr title=\"Discuss this template\">t<\/abbr><\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li class=\"nv-edit\"><strong><a class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=Template:Lewis_Hamilton_series&amp;action=edit\"><abbr title=\"Edit this template\">e<\/abbr><\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><strong>Sir Lewis Carl Davidson Hamilton <span class=\"noexcerpt nowraplinks\"><a title=\"Order of the British Empire\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Order_of_the_British_Empire\">MBE<\/a> <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Honorary Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Honorary_Fellow_of_the_Royal_Academy_of_Engineering\">HonFREng<\/a><\/span> (born 7 January 1985) is a <a title=\"Formula One drivers from the United Kingdom\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Formula_One_drivers_from_the_United_Kingdom\">British racing driver<\/a>. He currently competes in <a title=\"Formula One\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Formula_One\">Formula One<\/a> for <a title=\"Mercedes-Benz in Formula One\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Mercedes-Benz_in_Formula_One\">Mercedes<\/a>, having previously driven for <a title=\"McLaren\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/McLaren\">McLaren<\/a> from <a title=\"2007 Formula One World Championship\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2007_Formula_One_World_Championship\">2007<\/a> to <a title=\"2012 Formula One World Championship\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2012_Formula_One_World_Championship\">2012<\/a>. In Formula One, Hamilton has won a joint-record seven <a title=\"List of Formula One driver records\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/List_of_Formula_One_driver_records#Total_championships\">World Drivers&#8217; Championship titles<\/a> (tied with <a title=\"Michael Schumacher\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Michael_Schumacher\">Michael Schumacher<\/a>), while he holds the outright records for the most <a title=\"List of Formula One Grand Prix wins by Lewis Hamilton\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/List_of_Formula_One_Grand_Prix_wins_by_Lewis_Hamilton\">wins<\/a> (96), <a title=\"List of Formula One polesitters\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/List_of_Formula_One_polesitters\">pole positions<\/a> (98) and <a title=\"List of Formula One driver records\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/List_of_Formula_One_driver_records#Total_podium_finishes\">podium finishes<\/a> (166), amongst others.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Born and raised in <a title=\"Stevenage\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Stevenage\">Stevenage<\/a>, <a title=\"Hertfordshire\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Hertfordshire\">Hertfordshire<\/a>, Hamilton was signed to the <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"McLaren young driver programme\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/McLaren_young_driver_programme\">McLaren young driver programme<\/a> in 1998. This later resulted in a Formula One drive with <a title=\"McLaren\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/McLaren\">McLaren<\/a> in <a title=\"2007 Formula One World Championship\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2007_Formula_One_World_Championship\">2007<\/a>, making Hamilton the first <a title=\"Black people\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Black_people\">black<\/a> driver to race in the sport. That season, Hamilton set numerous records as he finished runner-up to <a title=\"Kimi R\u00e4ikk\u00f6nen\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Kimi_R%C3%A4ikk%C3%B6nen\">Kimi R\u00e4ikk\u00f6nen<\/a> by one point. <a title=\"2008 Formula One World Championship\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2008_Formula_One_World_Championship\">The following season<\/a>, he won his maiden title in dramatic fashion\u2014making a crucial overtake on the last corner of the last lap in <a title=\"2008 Brazilian Grand Prix\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2008_Brazilian_Grand_Prix\">the last race of the season<\/a>\u2014to become the then-youngest <a title=\"List of Formula One World Drivers' Champions\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/List_of_Formula_One_World_Drivers%27_Champions\">Formula One World Champion<\/a> in history. After four more years with McLaren, Hamilton signed with Mercedes in <a title=\"2013 Formula One World Championship\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2013_Formula_One_World_Championship\">2013<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Changes to the <a title=\"Formula One regulations\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Formula_One_regulations#Engine\">regulations<\/a> for <a title=\"2014 Formula One World Championship\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2014_Formula_One_World_Championship\">2014<\/a> mandating the use of <a title=\"Formula One engines\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Formula_One_engines#2014\u2013present\">turbo-hybrid engines<\/a> came at the start of a highly successful period for Hamilton, during which he has won six further drivers&#8217; titles. Hamilton won consecutive titles in <a title=\"2014 Formula One World Championship\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2014_Formula_One_World_Championship\">2014<\/a> and <a title=\"2015 Formula One World Championship\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2015_Formula_One_World_Championship\">2015<\/a> during an intense <a title=\"Hamilton\u2013Rosberg rivalry\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Hamilton%E2%80%93Rosberg_rivalry\">rivalry with teammate Nico Rosberg<\/a> to match his hero <a title=\"Ayrton Senna\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Ayrton_Senna\">Ayrton Senna<\/a>&#8216;s three World Championships. Following Rosberg&#8217;s retirement, <a title=\"Scuderia Ferrari\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Scuderia_Ferrari\">Ferrari<\/a>&#8216;s <a title=\"Sebastian Vettel\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Sebastian_Vettel\">Sebastian Vettel<\/a> became Hamilton&#8217;s closest rival in two intense championship battles, and Hamilton twice overturned mid-season points deficits to claim consecutive titles again in <a title=\"2017 Formula One World Championship\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2017_Formula_One_World_Championship\">2017<\/a> and <a title=\"2018 Formula One World Championship\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2018_Formula_One_World_Championship\">2018<\/a>. Hamilton won his third and fourth titles in a row in <a title=\"2019 Formula One World Championship\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2019_Formula_One_World_Championship\">2019<\/a> and <a title=\"2020 Formula One World Championship\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2020_Formula_One_World_Championship\">2020<\/a>, respectively, equalling Schumacher&#8217;s record of seven drivers&#8217; titles.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Hamilton has been credited with furthering Formula One&#8217;s global following by appealing to a broader audience outside the sport, in part due to his high-profile lifestyle, environmental and social activism and his exploits in music and fashion. He has become a prominent advocate in support of activism to combat racism and push for increased diversity in motorsport. Hamilton was listed in the 2020 issue of <a title=\"Time (magazine)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Time_(magazine)\"><i>Time<\/i><\/a> as one of the <a title=\"Time 100\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Time_100\">100 most influential people globally<\/a> and was <a title=\"Knight Bachelor\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Knight_Bachelor\">knighted<\/a> in the <a title=\"2021 New Year Honours\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2021_New_Year_Honours\">2021 New Year Honours<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Lewis beats Max Lewis Hamilton claimed his 96th How Hamilton beat Verstappen with a slower car at the Bahrain Grand Prix, holds off Verstappen for tactically brilliant win at Bahrain GP. @LewisHamilton For all the millions of dollars and labour hours invested by Mercedes and Red Bull over the winter, the two cars that Lewis [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":19751,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2405,11,8,144,1314,1456,1156,13,14,1,537,12,7,9,10],"tags":[1226,2209,3872],"class_list":["post-19745","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all","category-business","category-entertainment","category-f1-racing","category-global-business-entrepreneurs","category-global-news-updates-and-more","category-global-sports","category-health","category-most-commented","category-news","category-racing","category-scitech","category-sports","category-us","category-world","tag-lewishamilton","tag-hertfordshire","tag-sir-lewis-hamilton-mbe-honfreng-lewis-hamilton-2016-malaysia-2-jpg-hamilton-at-the-2016-malaysian-grand-prix-born-lewis-carl-davidson-hamilton1-7-january-1985-age-362-stevenage","et-has-post-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19745","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=19745"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19745\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/19751"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=19745"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=19745"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=19745"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}