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

Lewis Hamilton’s Formula 1 adventure with Mercedes came to an end with a fantastic drive to finish fourth at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

After winning six drivers’ championships during an unprecedented era of success with the Silver Arrows, Hamilton will join Ferrari next season, aiming for more glory.

Hamilton departs Mercedes after one of the most challenging seasons of his trophy-laden career and following a level of success he would 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.

Highs

Hungary for victory

When Hamilton took the surprising step to switch McLaren for Mercedes in 2013, the team he joined was still at the early stages of developing into the powerhouse it would become in the following years.

Despite that, he still managed to take his maiden win for the team in just his 10th race, dominating the weekend to take victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix for a record-equalling fourth time in his career.

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

There’s no place like home

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG

Photo by: Steven Tee / Motorsport Images

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

It ushered in a remarkable run of wins for Hamilton at Silverstone, who went on to stand on the top step in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020 and 2021.

However, when the title successes and race victories dried up, Hamilton’s emotional victory at the 2024 British Grand Prix proved to be a highlight of his final two years and gave him a ninth career win at his home race and an 83th and penultimate race win for Mercedes.

The impossible dream

Race winner Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes F1

Photo by: Steven Tee / Motorsport Images

Barring Rosberg’s 2016 success, Hamilton was untouchable during his peak years at Mercedes and the title win in 2020 saw him draw level with Michael Schumacher on seven drivers’ championships.

Victory at the Turkish Grand Prix saw him seal the title, having surpassed Schumacher’s record of race wins earlier in the season.

“To…