George Russell’s near-win in Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes sparks Formula One debate

McLaren

2007 season 

Finished: 2nd 

Wins and podiums: Four wins, 12 podiums (109 points)

World champion: Kimi Raikkonen (110 points with Ferrari)

It was a record-breaking year for Hamilton in his debut season where he came within a point of winning the world title as a rookie. However, in the penultimate race in China, Hamilton’s title hopes went up in smoke when he famously went into the gravel trap at the start of the pit-lane.

2008 season 

Finished: 1st 

Wins and podiums: Five wins, 10 podiums (98 points)

World champion: Lewis Hamilton 

Hamilton’s success in the sport continued but this time, he would get his maiden title at the end of it in dramatic circumstances. Having amassed five wins and 10 podiums, it was his final victory in Brazil that saw him win the title on the last lap and upset home favourite Felipe Massa.

2009 season 

Finished: 5th 

Wins and podiums: Two wins, five podiums (49 points)

World champion: Jenson Button (95 points with Brawn)

After a successful two years in Formula One, Hamilton’s form dropped off and he finished down in fifth. While he still found himself on the podium, he rarely challenged as fellow Brit Jenson Button sealed the title.

2010 season

Finished: 4th 

Wins and podiums: Three wins, nine podiums (240 points)

World champion: Sebastian Vettel (256 points with Red Bull)

Hamilton was still suffering from a hangover from his title-winning campaign which left fans wanting more from the Brit. Sebastian Vettel’s dominant four year spell with Red Bull begins.

2011 season

Finished: 5th 

Wins and podiums: Three wins, six podiums (227 points)

World champion: Sebastian Vettel (392 points with Red Bull)

Now in an inferior car at McLaren, things still aren’t looking good for Hamilton and finishes once again in a lowly fifth – his joint-lowest finish in Formula One. 

2012 season

Finished: 4th 

Wins and podiums: Four wins, seven podiums (190 points)

World champion: Sebastian Vettel (281 points with Red Bull)

Hamilton vowed to return to his best and managed to achieve four wins in his final season in a McLaren. However, he was still 90 points adrift of Vettel in a blistering Red Bull.

Mercedes 

2013 season

Finished: 4th 

Wins and podiums: One win, five podiums (189 points)

World champion: Sebastian Vettel (397 points with Red Bull)

Hamilton left McLaren to join up with childhood karting team-mate Nico Rosberg at Mercedes. The move was a shock to fans and pundit alike and managed just one win that season. 

2014 season

Finished: 1st 

Wins and podiums: 11 wins, 16 podiums (384 points)

World champion: Lewis Hamilton

Hamilton’s dominance in the sport begins as he storms to his second world title and first with Mercedes as he and Rosberg battle it out for the title. However, the Brit is far superior to his German team-mate. 

2015 season

Finished: 1st 

Wins and podiums: 10 wins, 17 podiums (381 points)

World champion: Lewis Hamilton

A second successive world title for Hamilton in the Silver Arrows which saw the use of turbo-hybrid engines a year earlier contribute to his dominance in the sport. 

2016 season

Finished: 2nd 

Wins and podiums: 10 wins, 17 podiums (380 points)

World champion: Nico Rosberg (385 points with Mercedes)

Nico Rosberg finally gets the better of Hamilton but he would be the only man to do so from this year onwards. Rosberg retires immediately after winning the championship by five points.

2017 season

Finished: 1st 

Wins and podiums: Nine wins, 13 podiums (363 points)

World champion: Lewis Hamilton

Hamilton is back on top following Rosberg’s retirement with Valtteri Bottas driving the other Mercedes. However, he’s no competition for Hamilton who wins his fourth world title. 

2018 season

Finished: 1st 

Wins and podiums: 11 wins, 17 podiums (408 points)

World champion: Lewis Hamilton 

Still no competition for Hamilton in what has become a superior car in Formula One. Racks up a staggering 408 points that year. 

2019 season

Finished: 1st

Wins and podiums: 11 wins, 17 podiums (413 points)

World champion: Lewis Hamilton

Hamilton matches his 2018 podiums and wins total while bettering his points haul by five more points. His most dominant year yet. 

2020 season*

Finished: 1st

Wins and podiums: 11 wins, 13 podiums (332 points*)

World champion: Lewis Hamilton

Hamilton storms to his fourth successive title and matches Michael Schumacher’s record of seven world titles. 

*Still one more race left on the race calendar