When did Lewis Hamilton join F1?
In 2007, Hamilton joined the McLaren F1 team. In his rookie season he came in second in the world drivers’ championship, only one point behind the winner. The following year he won the championship. BMW returned to the top category of endurance racing in 2024 after a long hiatus. The company is also active in several other series, ranging from the German Touring Car Championship to the Superbike World Championship, but it’s been totally absent from Formula 1 for nearly two decades.Alonso is contracted to remain at Aston Martin until at least the end of the 2026 season. In addition to holding the most race starts (418), his longevity has broken several Formula One records. Alonso won the 2001 Race of Champions Nations’ Cup, and thrice entered the Indianapolis 500 in 2017, 2019 and 2020.
How old was Lewis Hamilton when he debuted in F1?
Hamilton began racing go-karts at age 8 and became a promising young phenom, claiming titles starting at age 10 and making his F1 debut in March 2007 at age 22. After winning championships with the McLaren and Mercedes teams, he began driving for the iconic Scuderia Ferrari team in 2025. Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen is the current F1 World Champion. He competes under the Dutch flag and is the son of former F1 driver Jos Verstappen. Max began karting at age four in the province of Limburg, Belgium. Over the years he won numerous junior championships.Max Verstappen has confirmed that he will remain with Red Bull for the 2026 season ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, after months of speculation that he could join Mercedes.In 2015, at age 17, Verstappen become the youngest driver ever to compete in an F1 race. Driving for Scuderia Toro Rosso at the Australian Grand Prix, his first race ended after 32 laps because of engine failure. He finished the season 12th in the drivers’ championship, and his best race result was fourth place.
Which F1 driver started karting at 13?
Lewis Hamilton (7 World Championships) How did he get into Formula 1 from there? At age 13, after winning multiple karting championships, he was noticed by the Mclaren team and signed up for the Mclaren Driver Development Programme. At age 13, after winning multiple karting championships, he was noticed by the Mclaren team and signed up for the Mclaren Driver Development Programme. As you already know, Hamilton took the Formula 1 world by storm, braking records and becoming renowned as the highest-paid driver on the grid.Yet while Hamilton started his F1 career in his early 20s, we’re reminding budding racers that it’s never too late to put the pedal to the metal as some drivers, including former world champion Damon Hill didn’t start their F1 careers until they were in their 30s.
Who started F1 at the youngest age?
Max Verstappen (17 years, 166 days) Verstappen consequently became the youngest F1 ever racer, aged just 17, with rules introduced in the aftermath to prohibit anyone under 18 from racing in Formula 1. Sebastian Vettel is the youngest winner of the World Drivers’ Championship; he was 23 years and 134 days old when he won the 2010 championship. Juan Manuel Fangio is the oldest winner of the World Drivers’ Championship; he was 46 years and 41 days old when he won the 1957 title.You could’ve done this in the far & distant past. Five time champion Juan Manuel Fangio first entered motorsport at age 25 and raced until he was 46, retiring in 1958. Some more recent drivers also started relatively late, notably Damon Hill starting to race cars only at age 23/24, making his debut in F1 at age 32.Until midway through 2024, the rules stated that drivers must be the holder of a current FIA International Grade A licence, be the holder of a valid driving licence and be at least 18 years old at the start of their first F1 competition.However, when you win the championship, you’re able to change your driver number to 1. Since Verstappen became world champion in 2021, he chose to change his driver number to 1. Sebastian Vettel chose the driver number 5 as a tribute to his childhood hero, Michael Schumacher, who also raced with the same number.Raikkonen, however, was only the 40th youngest driver to arrive into F1 at the age of 21 years, four months and 15 days, while Antonelli became the third youngest-ever when he debuted on the grid aged 18 years, six months and 19 days at this year’s Australian Grand Prix, with only Max Verstappen and Lance Stroll .
Why is 17 not allowed in F1?
While numbers like 5 and 14 symbolize the greatness of champions like Vettel and Alonso, the number 17 was retired to honor Jules Bianchi, who tragically passed away after a 2014 accident. This gesture respects his legacy and ensures his memory endures. The number 17 was retired in 2015 as a mark of respect to Jules Bianchi, who died that year from injuries sustained in a crash at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix while carrying the number.Why Is Number 17 Retired in F1? Number 17 was retired in honour of Jules Bianchi, a French driver who tragically passed away in 2015 after suffering severe head injuries during the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix. He raced with number 17, and the FIA permanently retired it out of respect.Number 17 is the only driver number in Formula 1 to be officially retired — a tribute to the late Jules Bianchi. The French driver was using #17 when he suffered a devastating crash during the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix. After fighting for nine months, Bianchi sadly passed away in 2015 from his injuries.
What is the minimum age to start F1?
Drivers are expected to perform well in these series to eventually secure a seat in Formula 1. The minimum age for a Formula 1 driver is 18. That means it takes over 10 years to become an F1 driver, as most drivers start in motorsport at about 6 years old. At what age do F1 drivers retire? The age at which Formula 1 drivers retire can vary greatly depending on individual circumstances, performance, and personal choices. Some drivers retire relatively young in their late 30s or early 40s, while others continue racing into their late 40s or even early 50s.Perhaps most fascinating is how consistent retirement ages have remained. Despite all the changes in F1, drivers typically hang up their helmets around age 28.
Is number 69 allowed in F1?
F1 Driver Number Rules Choosing a number: Each driver has the opportunity to choose a permanent number between 2 and 99, excluding 17, that they can use throughout their F1 career. F1 drivers are allowed to choose a number between 2 and 99, which remain theirs for the duration of their career in the sport.Is the Number 69 Banned in F1? No. While the number 69 isn’t officially banned under FIA regulations, it has never appeared on the grid since drivers were given the freedom to choose their permanent numbers in 2014. Technically available, it remains untouched — and that’s probably no coincidence.Yes, 13 is allowed. In fact, Pastor Maldonado used #13 when the permanent number system began in 2014. Though often considered unlucky in some cultures, F1 left the choice to the drivers.Choosing a number: Each driver has the opportunity to choose a permanent number between 2 and 99, excluding 17, that they can use throughout their F1 career.