hamilton-ad-2025
Photo: Race Pictures
Features

From Brazil 2007 to Britain 2025: 10 of Hamilton's best overtakes in F1

23:00, 21 Dec
1 Comments
Lewis Hamilton is the most successful driver in Formula 1 history with a record-equalling seven world championships. The British driver also has 105 race wins, which is more than anyone else.
Hamilton has won titles for McLaren and Mercedes. He is now chasing an eighth world title with Ferrari.
He has pulled off some stunning overtakes since Hamilton made his debut in 2007. Let's take a look at 10 of the most spectacular.

10. 2022 British GP - Leclerc and Perez

Hamilton driving at the 2022 British Grand Prix
Photo: Race Pictures
Then, driving for Mercedes, who was battling Sergio Perez and Charles Leclerc for second place.
Hamilton spotted the pair battling in front of him at Club and sneaked through. Perez and Leclerc slowed each other down, which opened the door for Hamilton. The home hero eventually took third after Perez repassed him.

9. 2018 Italian GP - Raikkonen 

Hamilton battling Raikkonen at Monza
Photo: Race Pictures
The 2018 championship battle between Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel was very competitive. The German made contact with his rival on the first lap, which left Kimi Raikkonen to battle Hamilton for the victory.
Raikkonen resisted an earlier attack from the Mercedes driver, conceding the lead at Turn 1 before snatching it back at the Della Roggia chicane.
Hamilton then bided his time and passed the Ferrari with nine laps to go around the outside at the Rettafilo chicane. Raikkonen was unable to respond, and his tyres gradually lost grip afterwards.

8. 2018 Russian GP - Vettel

Hamilton driving at Russia in 2018
Photo: Race Pictures
Just a few races after Hamilton's pass on Raikkonen, Hamilton battled his title rival, Vettel, in Russia.
Hamilton fell behind the German in the pit stops but muscled his way past to take fourth place on his way to victory.
His first attempt to overtake was blocked by Vettel at Turn 2. Hamilton then got through later in the lap at Turn 4 in a bold move. Vettel tried to cover the inside, but it wasn't enough.

7. 2008 German GP - Massa

Hamilton at Hockenheim in 2008
Photo: Race Pictures
Hamilton was chasing his first world championship in 2008. He didn't pit as the Safety Car came out 36 laps into that year's German Grand Prix.
He stormed through from fifth to win the race in the final stint. During this run, the McLaren driver passes his title rival, Felipe Massa, at Turn 6.
Hamilton took advantage as Massa opened the door before the braking zone.
The pair almost touched at the apex at Hockenheim before Massa went into the runoff area on the outside. It was a bold move that allowed the Briton to take a vital win.

6. 2011 German GP - Alonso

Hamilton at Nurburgring in 2011
Photo: Race Pictures
Hamilton came out on top after a three-way duel with Fernando Alonso and Mark Webber at the German Grand Prix in 2011.
The McLaren driver took victory, and a critical part of it was his pass on Alonso at Turn 2. The Spaniard pitted and came out ahead of Hamilton but struggled on his cold tyres.
This immediately gave Hamilton a chance to sweep around the outside of his old rival. Alonso had very little defence and could only watch the silver and red McLaren get ahead.

5. 2025 British GP - Russell and Ocon

Hamilton at the 2025 British GP
Photo: Race Pictures
The 2025 British Grand Prix saw Hamilton narrowly miss out on his first podium for Ferrari with a fourth-place finish.
As the rain fell, the seven-time world champion swept around the outside of both George Russell and Esteban Ocon into Village.
He fell behind Russell at Abbey but made a memorable double overtake at the next braking zone to move into P7.

4. 2007 Australian GP - Kubica and Alonso

Hamilton on his debut Australia 2007
Photo: Race Pictures
Hamilton hit the ground running on his debut at Australia in 2007. The McLaren driver stuttered off the line but made amends by sweeping around the outside of Robert Kubica and Alonso.
He eventually took third place behind Raikkonen and Alonso at the first round of the year.

3. 2010 Australian GP - Rosberg 

Hamilton at Australia 2010
Photo: Race Pictures
Albert Park at the Australian Grand Prix features the fearsome, high-speed chicane in the middle sector. Hamilton lined up Nico Rosberg for a pass and went around the outside at Turn 11.
Overtakes are very seldom seen there, as it is such a quick section, making Hamilton's move quite rare.

2. 2007 Italian GP - Raikkonen

Hamilton at the 2007 Italian GP
Photo: Race Pictures
Hamilton took second place at the Italian Grand Prix in 2007. The British driver was known for his late braking overtakes particularly in his early career.
He braked incredibly late into Turn 1 at Monza to pass Raikkonen for second place, making the apex while his front right was locked up. This gave him two extra points in the title race.

1. 2007 Brazilian GP - Barrichello

Hamilton being pushed to the grid in Brazil 2007
Photo: Race Pictures
At the Brazilian Grand Prix in 2007, Hamilton didn't win the world title in his rookie year. He dropped to the back of the field in the opening stages with a mechanical glitch.
The McLaren driver stormed through the field to take seventh and cleared Honda's Rubens Barrichello at Turn 1. Hamilton picked up the slipstream and dove down the inside. Barrichello didn't make it easy but left enough space for Hamilton to take the place.

Check out the latest episode of GPblog's F1 Paddock Update below!

Want to stay up-to-date with what happens in the Formula 1 paddock? Then GPblog's F1Paddock Update video is the perfect way to do it. Subscribe to GPblog's YouTube channel and turn on notifications to never miss the latest episodes.
loading

Loading