Lewis Hamilton
His father worked up to four jobs to fund the karting; at ten, Lewis told McLaren's boss he'd drive for him one day.
Lewis Hamilton was born in 1985 in Stevenage, England. Lewis Hamilton's background is described as Black British; grandparents emigrated from Grenada. Growing up, the family was working class — his parents separated when he was two; his father Anthony stacked IT work with dishwashing and sign-hanging to pay for karts, from a council-estate start. His father worked up to four jobs to fund the karting; at ten, Lewis told McLaren's boss he'd drive for him one day.
- Born
- 1985 · Stevenage, England
- Roots
- Black British; grandparents emigrated from Grenada
- Family
- Working class
- His parents separated when he was two; his father Anthony stacked IT work with dishwashing and sign-hanging to pay for karts, from a council-estate start.
- Education
- Left school for the McLaren young-driver programme; finished under tutors
- Started with
- A radio-controlled car
- Raced RC cars at six, beating adults on national TV, before the first secondhand kart.
- Affiliations & societies
- None documented.
- Information only — claims like these are often unverifiable and may be wrong.
The pathway
- 1995 · age 10The autograph book
Approaches Ron Dennis at an awards dinner: 'One day I want to be racing your cars.' Dennis writes back: call me in nine years.
- 1998 · age 13McLaren signs a child
The youngest driver-development contract in the sport at the time.
- 2007 · age 22Rookie season
Loses the title by a single point; wins it the next year — then the youngest champion ever.
- 2014 · age 29The Mercedes era
Six more titles across eight seasons.
- 2020 · age 35Equals Schumacher's seven
With record wins and poles; still Formula 1's only Black driver.
- 2021 · age 36Knighted
His Mission 44 foundation funds underrepresented youth in motorsport and STEM.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Lewis Hamilton from?
Lewis Hamilton was born in 1985 in Stevenage, England. Their background is described as Black British; grandparents emigrated from Grenada.
When was Lewis Hamilton born?
Lewis Hamilton was born in 1985, in Stevenage, England.
What is Lewis Hamilton's background or ethnicity?
Lewis Hamilton's roots are described as Black British; grandparents emigrated from Grenada. These are broad categories drawn from public sources, not statements about how the person identifies.
Where did Lewis Hamilton go to school?
Lewis Hamilton's education: Left school for the McLaren young-driver programme; finished under tutors.
What was Lewis Hamilton's family background growing up?
At birth the family was working class. His parents separated when he was two; his father Anthony stacked IT work with dishwashing and sign-hanging to pay for karts, from a council-estate start.
How did Lewis Hamilton get started?
Lewis Hamilton started with a radio-controlled car. Raced RC cars at six, beating adults on national TV, before the first secondhand kart.
Sources
Compiled from these references and contemporaneous press reporting. Figures are approximate; verify before relying on them.