During Lewis Hamilton’s 12 seasons with Mercedes he racked up 84 victories in F1, but which were his best?
10. Hungary 2013: The one that proved us wrong
Hamilton start: 120
Hamilton win: 22
Hamilton’s switch from McLaren to Mercedes made little sense when it was confirmed following the 2012 Singapore Grand Prix. He was swapping regular winners for a team that had struggled to be competitive, even with Michael Schumacher behind the wheel. Many, including this writer, questioned the logic behind such a move, but this win in Hungary changed all that. Hamilton’s maiden win for Mercedes came in the blistering heat at the Hungaroring. He converted pole position to see off Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen.
9. Monaco GP 2019: Beating his future rival
Hamilton race: 235
Hamilton win: 77
The pre-race narrative had been dominated by passing of Niki Lauda, who had been instrumental in convincing Hamilton to join Mercedes. The race itself shaped up to be an intense race-long fight to the flag. Hamilton was forced to defend for 64 laps on the softer medium tyre against Verstappen, who was running on the hards. The Dutchman ran the majority of the race in Hamilton’s mirrors but launched his attack on lap 76 only to be met with staunch defence from the Mercedes man, who clung on to record his emotional victory.
8. Brazilian GP 2016: Hamilton excels in the wet
Hamilton race: 187
Hamilton win: 52
One of Hamilton’s best victories but also one that frequently slips off the radar as he would lose the title that season to team-mate Nico Rosberg. It was also overshadowed by a sensational drive from Max Verstappen, who came from the back to finish third. But that should not detract from Hamilton’s performance, who was exemplary out on front to keep his championship hopes alive.
7. Italian GP 2018: Beating Ferrari at home
Hamilton race: 222
Hamilton win: 68
Hamilton’s victory in front of the Tifosi was a typical pantomime. Before the race, he had described the atmosphere at Monza as a “snake pit” and stood on the podium to a chorus of boos as he all-but ended Vettel’s title hopes. Hamilton, who started third, went around the German at the second chicane, making contact and sending the German spinning. He then pulled off a fantastic overtake on Raikkonen with nine laps to go to snatch the victory.
6. German GP 2018: A sensational comeback
Hamilton race: 219
Hamilton win: 66
Hamilton was losing ground in the title race to Vettel and matters got worse when he could only qualify in 14th. Hamilton was furious and down - but definitely not out. He rallied in the wet-dry conditions in the race, tip-toeing his way around while Vettel spun off and beached his Ferrari in the gravel. Hamilton went on to win and seize back the momentum.
5. Turkish GP 2020: Winning his seventh world title
Hamilton race: 264
Hamilton win: 94
Hamilton equalled Michael Schumacher’s total of seven world titles with a masterclass in Istanbul. The Mercedes driver pitted early in damp conditions for intermediate tyres, which he would nurse to the end of the race, while others stopped for fresh rubber. Hamilton’s intermediate tyres were effectively slicks when he crossed the line as his tyre management proved decisive.
4. Bahrain GP 2021: Fighting off Verstappen
Hamilton race: 267
Hamilton win: 96
A brilliant fight with Verstappen that lit the touch paper for the 2021 season. The Red Bull driver started on pole but Hamilton undercut him before testing the track limits rules at Turn 4 for the opening half of the race to open up a lead. In the final stages of the race, Verstappen hunted Hamilton down before passing him off track, also at Turn 4, but had to hand the place back, and Hamilton held on for the win.
3. Bahrain GP 2014: Duel in the desert with Rosberg
Hamilton race: 132
Hamilton win: 24
The third race of the new turbo hybrid era threw up the start of the Hamilton versus Nico Rosberg rivalry. The two traded blows through the opening laps and then again in the final laps when Hamilton had a tyre disadvantage, but he managed to hold off his team-mate’s attempts to overtake. It set the tone for the rest of their time as team-mates as Hamilton would go on to triumph that season for his second world title, his first with Mercedes.
2. British GP 2024: Hamilton ends drought with his ninth Silverstone win
Hamilton race: 346
Hamilton win: 104
One of, if not the most emotional of his 105 career wins. Hamilton crossed the line in floods of tears after going 945 days without a win. Hamilton won the wet-dry race setting a new record for the most F1 wins at a single Grand Prix. Incredibly it was the 15th time he stood on the podium in his home race.
1. Brazilian GP 2021: The ultimate comeback
Hamilton race: 285
Hamilton win: 101
In the heat of the battle with trying to haul in Verstappen’s advantage in the championship, Hamilton produced his best ever win in Brazil. He was slapped with a grid penalty in the sprint race, sending him to the back of the pack before finishing fifth. A further five-place penalty for a engine part change meant he started the GP in 10th. He made a sensational start and was up to fifth in as many laps and was second by lap 19. He would eventually tussle with Verstappen over a handful of laps before finally getting past the Red Bull to win and keep his title hopes alive.
