It can be an emotional rollercoaster being a Formula One world champion. Just ask Lewis Hamilton...
Lewis Hamilton: The Highs and Lows —
It can be an emotional rollercoaster being a Formula One world champion. Just ask Lewis Hamilton...
Mark Thompson/Getty Images
Driving ambition helped the Briton get his first taste of F1 in 2006, aged 21. He earned a first test and then a McLaren race seat for the next year.
Lewis Hamilton: The Highs and Lows —
Driving ambition helped the Briton get his first taste of F1 in 2006, aged 21. He earned a first test and then a McLaren race seat for the next year.
Mark Thompson/Getty Images
Hamilton made his F1 debut in 2007 for McLaren and there were fireworks right from the start as the young Briton refused to give ground to his teammate Fernando Alonso, who had joined the team as the reigning double world champion.
Hamilton made his F1 debut in 2007 for McLaren and there were fireworks right from the start as the young Briton refused to give ground to his teammate Fernando Alonso, who had joined the team as the reigning double world champion.
Mark Thompson/Getty Images
A late flurry of rain helped Hamilton to the 2008 crown. He denied Ferrari's Felipe Massa the title by a single point as he moved up to fifth position at the final corner of the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Lewis Hamilton: The Highs and Lows —
A late flurry of rain helped Hamilton to the 2008 crown. He denied Ferrari's Felipe Massa the title by a single point as he moved up to fifth position at the final corner of the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Paul Gilham/Getty Images
There were emotional scenes of celebration in Sao Paulo for Hamilton, his family and girlfriend Nicole Scherzinger.
Lewis Hamilton: The Highs and Lows —
There were emotional scenes of celebration in Sao Paulo for Hamilton, his family and girlfriend Nicole Scherzinger.
Mark Thompson/Getty Images
The title defense began badly with Hamilton accused of lying to race stewards in Australia. 2009 did not improve and the Briton won just two races as McLaren struggled.
Lewis Hamilton: The Highs and Lows —
The title defense began badly with Hamilton accused of lying to race stewards in Australia. 2009 did not improve and the Briton won just two races as McLaren struggled.
PAUL CROCK/AFP/Getty Images
Life wasn't always a bed of roses for Hamilton when Jenson Button joined him at McLaren for the 2010, 2011 and 2012 seasons. In fact, Button won more points than his compatriot over the three years.
Lewis Hamilton: The Highs and Lows —
Life wasn't always a bed of roses for Hamilton when Jenson Button joined him at McLaren for the 2010, 2011 and 2012 seasons. In fact, Button won more points than his compatriot over the three years.
Hamilton shocked the world of F1 by joining unfancied Mercedes for the 2013 season in place of the retiring Michael Schumacher. The move reunited him with his old karting teammate Nico Rosberg.
Lewis Hamilton: The Highs and Lows —
Hamilton shocked the world of F1 by joining unfancied Mercedes for the 2013 season in place of the retiring Michael Schumacher. The move reunited him with his old karting teammate Nico Rosberg.
Justin Davies/Getty Images
A tire blowout at the 2013 British Grand Prix prompted Hamilton to say that was the first time he felt in danger driving an F1 car.
Lewis Hamilton: The Highs and Lows —
A tire blowout at the 2013 British Grand Prix prompted Hamilton to say that was the first time he felt in danger driving an F1 car.
Lars Baron/Getty Images
The first flashpoint between Hamilton and Rosberg in a tense 2014 title fight came at the Bahrain Grand Prix, where they battled fiercely for the lead.
Lewis Hamilton: The Highs and Lows —
The first flashpoint between Hamilton and Rosberg in a tense 2014 title fight came at the Bahrain Grand Prix, where they battled fiercely for the lead.
Paul Gilham/Getty Images
Hamilton keeps his emotions under wraps after he was unable to set a final qualifying lap at the Monaco Grand Prix because Rosberg's Mercedes was blocking the track.
Lewis Hamilton: The Highs and Lows —
Hamilton keeps his emotions under wraps after he was unable to set a final qualifying lap at the Monaco Grand Prix because Rosberg's Mercedes was blocking the track.
ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP/Getty Images
There was more drama at the Belgium Grand Prix when Rosberg clipped the back of Hamilton's car in a battle for the lead. Rosberg later apologized for the incident.
Lewis Hamilton: The Highs and Lows —
There was more drama at the Belgium Grand Prix when Rosberg clipped the back of Hamilton's car in a battle for the lead. Rosberg later apologized for the incident.
Clive Mason/Getty Images
Get the flags out! Hamilton wins the 2014 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and with it a second world title.
Lewis Hamilton: The Highs and Lows —
Get the flags out! Hamilton wins the 2014 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and with it a second world title.
Getty Images/Getty Images
Six years on, it's time to share another special moment with his pop star girlfriend Scherzinger.
Lewis Hamilton: The Highs and Lows —
Six years on, it's time to share another special moment with his pop star girlfriend Scherzinger.
Mark Thompson/Getty Images