Success and hardship – Hamilton’s 12 F1 seasons at Mercedes

Lewis Hamilton’s Formula 1 adventure with Mercedes ended with a fantastic drive, finishing fourth at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

After winning six drivers’ championships with the Silver Arrows in an unprecedented era of success, Hamilton will move to Ferrari next season with the aim of achieving even greater glory.

Hamilton leaves Mercedes after one of the most challenging seasons of his trophy-laden career and a success he could never have imagined.

Here, Motorsport.com takes a look at some of the highs and lows of Hamilton’s 12-year association with the Mercedes team.

Heights

Hungary for the victory

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG F1 W04

Photo by: Sutton Images

When Hamilton took the surprising step of switching from McLaren to Mercedes in 2013, the team he joined was still in the early stages of becoming the powerhouse it would become in the years that followed.

Nevertheless, he managed to achieve his first victory for the team in just the tenth race, dominated the weekend and took victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix for the fourth time in his career – a new record.

The victory also made Hamilton the first British driver to win a race for Mercedes since Sir Stirling Moss – but it would be his only success of 2013, and the dominant Sebastian Vettel stormed to the title.

There’s no place like home

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG

Photo by: Steven Tee / Motorsport Images

Hamilton’s second world title and the first of six with Mercedes came in 2014, when he won 11 races throughout the season – one of which was a success at the British Grand Prix.

It began a remarkable winning streak for Hamilton at Silverstone, reaching the top step in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020 and 2021.

However, as title successes and race wins dried up, Hamilton’s emotional victory at the 2024 British Grand Prix proved to be the highlight of his final two years, giving him his ninth career win at his home race and the 83rd and penultimate race win for Hamilton Mercedes.

The impossible dream

Race winner Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes F1

Photo by: Steven Tee / Motorsport Images

Aside from Rosberg’s success in 2016, Hamilton was untouchable in his peak years at Mercedes and by winning the title in 2020 he drew level with Michael Schumacher on seven drivers’ championships.

With victory at the Turkish Grand Prix, he secured the title after surpassing Schumacher’s record of race wins at the start of the season.

“To all the kids out there: dream the impossible,” an emotional Hamilton declared over the team radio, securing his place as statistically the best driver in Formula 1 history.

Lows

Drama from Abu Dhabi

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W12, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB16B

Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images

An eighth title would have confirmed Hamilton’s position as the sport’s all-time best driver – and he would have achieved just that within moments of 2021.

Instead, one of the most infamous races would take place in Abu Dhabi, where both Hamilton and Max Verstappen went to the season finale with the same points total.

However, controversial decisions by race director Michael Masi ultimately led to Hamilton being overtaken by Verstappen in the final stages. The threats of legal action and demands for a retrospective reallocation of points eventually subsided, but Hamilton lost his record crown.

The 945 day wait

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-AMG F1 Team, 1st place, celebrates on the podium with the winner’s trophy

Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images

As part of his 2021 title challenge, Hamilton has won three of the last four races, with victories in Brazil, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

However, the victory in Jeddah was his last for a long time. In fact, it took him 945 days – or 56 races – to add to his winning trophies when he won at Silverstone in 2024.

It would be the last time Hamilton stood on the top step for Mercedes, although he later took victory at the Belgian Grand Prix after Russell was disqualified for being underweight.

Slow Saturdays

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes F1 W15

Photo by: Mercedes AMG

Hamilton’s final season at Mercedes was his worst in terms of points and position in the Drivers’ Championship, as he was ultimately well beaten by his teammate George Russell.

It was probably Saturday when Russell’s superiority became apparent when he outscored his compatriot 19-5 over the course of the year and then took a 5-1 lead in sprint qualifying.

Hamilton complained about his speed in qualifying several times throughout the season, saying in Qatar: “I’m definitely not fast anymore” – Ferrari will certainly be hoping that’s not the case…