He’s Formula One’s most successful driver – and his campaigning for equality has brought him a status that no grand prix defeat can tarnish
In the final race of the most dramatic Formula One season ever, Lewis Hamilton failed in his bid to become a record eight-time world champion. Cruising to victory with just five laps left, a crash, and an outrageous decision by the race stewards, led to his chief rival, Max Verstappen – on fresh tyres – overtaking him on the final lap.
Yet in “losing”, Hamilton has proven himself a true champion. This year he became the first Formula One driver to win 100 races. He was a key protagonist of the greatest season the sport has ever known. And, though he remains on seven world titles, no other driver has won more.
Joseph Harker is the Guardian’s senior editor, diversity and development. He is a former editor and publisher of the weekly newspaper Black Briton