Lewis Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton #44

Lewis Hamilton

Team Mercedes Country United Kingdom Podiums 136 Points 3061 Grands Prix entered 231 World Championships 5 Highest race finish 1 (x74) Highest grid position 1 Date of birth 07-01-85 Place of birth England

"Still I Rise" - these are the words embroidered on the back of the Lewis Hamilton helmet and tattooed over his shoulders, and since he has destroyed expectations with one of the greatest rookie versions in F1 history in 2007, that's literally all he did: to the top of the all-time pole position list for his hero Ayton Senna, rose to second place in the victory column behind only the inimitable Michael Schumacher and surpassed legendary Sir Jackie Stewart most champion titles from a British driver.

Could he be the G.O.A.T? Few will deny that he is talking - and what is more, he has his way there, combining his progressive speed with a refusal to conform to stereotypes for how a driver should think, dress or behave.

Respect is well deserved in F1, but Hamilton has it from all his peers. Why? Because they know that regardless of the course, regardless of the circumstances, whatever the situation, when his visor goes down and the lights go out, it is Hammer time.