Hamilton to break new record in Canada

As Formula One heads to Montreal this weekend for the Canadian Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton is set to automatically break a record. He will overtake Jenson Button as the British driver with the longest F1 career.

This weekend, Hamilton is set to break the record for the British driver with the longest F1 career. Currently, the record is held by former world champion Jenson Button, who raced for a total of 17 years, two months, and 16 days, between 2000 and 2017. Hamilton's record until the Monaco Grand Prix sits at 17 years, 2 months, and eight days, hence he will overtake Button's record in Canda. As well as breaking the record this weekend, Hamilton will be returning to the track where he secured his first F1 win at 22 years old, after just six races.

The Brit entered F1 in 2007 when he joined McLaren, and was partnered alongside Fernando Alonso. On his debut, he finished on the podium and finished as the runner up for the season. During his time with the team, Hamilton broke a series of records, including becoming the first British driver since Damon Hill to win the Drivers Championship. Hamilton then left the British team for Mercedes, in 2013, where he went on to win a further six world championships. The British driver will now make the move to Ferrari for 2025.

Who else has held the record?

In addition to Hamilton and Button, three other drivers make the top 5. This includes Graham Hill, who raced for 16 years, eight months, and eight days between 1958 and 1975, Nigel Mansell for 14 years, eight months, and 27 days between 1980 and 1995, and finally David Coulthard whose career spanned from 1994 to 2008 across 14 years, five months and four days. Currently on the grid, alongside Hamilton, there are two other British drivers, his teammate George Russell, and McLaren's Lando Norris. The pair both entered the sport in 2019, and have each won one race.