Hamilton Achieves Unprecedented 5,000 Career Points Milestone

Lewis Hamilton has once again etched his name into the Formula 1 history books, becoming the first driver to surpass 5,000 career points following his fourth-place finish at the United States Grand Prix in Austin.

Why it matters:

Hamilton's remarkable achievement underscores his enduring legacy and consistent performance throughout his illustrious career. Reaching this unprecedented points tally solidifies his position as one of the sport's all-time greats and sets a new benchmark for future generations of drivers, even as the sport's points system has evolved over time.

The Details:

• Historic Milestone: With 5,004 career points, Hamilton now stands alone at the top of Formula 1's all-time points leaderboard. This figure is significantly higher than his closest active rival, Max Verstappen, who has 3,329.5 points.
• Competitive Landscape: Verstappen's impressive tally at just 28 years old suggests he is a strong contender to challenge this record in the years to come, benefiting from the current points system.
• All-Time Top Earners: The top five drivers by career points are:
  • Lewis Hamilton: 5,004 points
  • Max Verstappen: 3,329.5 points
  • Sebastian Vettel: 3,098 points
  • Fernando Alonso: 2,372 points
  • Kimi Räikkönen: 1,873 points
• Points System Evolution: It's important to note that many of these drivers began their careers under different points systems, which awarded fewer points per race. This evolution has undoubtedly contributed to higher overall career totals for contemporary drivers like Verstappen.

Looking Ahead:

While celebrating this career milestone, Hamilton's focus will soon shift to the upcoming Mexican Grand Prix. In a move seen earlier this season in Bahrain and Austria, Hamilton will sit out the opening practice session.

• FP1 in Mexico: Hamilton's Ferrari SF-25 will be driven by Antonio Fuoco, a Ferrari Driver Academy member and factory WEC driver, who famously won last year's 24 Hours of Le Mans.
• Return to Cockpit: Hamilton will return for the second practice session, as the Mexican Grand Prix reverts to a traditional weekend format after the recent sprint in Austin. Charles Leclerc is scheduled to participate in all sessions from the start.

This strategic move allows Ferrari to give track time to a young talent while Hamilton prepares for the rest of the race weekend.