Lewis Hamilton Reaches Historic 5,000 Career Points Milestone

Lewis Hamilton achieved an unprecedented milestone at the United States Grand Prix, becoming the first Formula 1 driver to surpass 5,000 career points. His fourth-place finish in Austin cemented his place at the top of F1's all-time points leaderboard.

Why it matters:

This record underscores Hamilton's remarkable longevity and consistent performance at the pinnacle of motorsport. In an era where points systems have evolved, his ability to adapt and remain a frontrunner for over a decade highlights his enduring legacy and impact on Formula 1 history.

The Details:

• Hamilton's current tally stands at 5,004 career points, a record unmatched by any other driver.
• Max Verstappen is his closest active rival with 3,329.5 points, an impressive total for a 28-year-old, suggesting he could challenge this record in the future.
• Sebastian Vettel, Fernando Alonso, and Kimi Räikkönen follow in the all-time points standings, though their careers began under different, less point-heavy systems.
• Points System Evolution: Modern F1 awards significantly more points per race compared to earlier eras, a factor that benefits contemporary drivers like Verstappen.

What's Next:

While Hamilton celebrates this historic achievement, his focus will shift to the upcoming Mexican Grand Prix. However, he will not participate in the first practice session.

• FP1 Absence: Hamilton will sit out Friday's opening practice session in Mexico, a decision mirroring previous instances this season in Bahrain and Austria.
• Driver Replacement: Antonio Fuoco, a Ferrari Driver Academy member and successful WEC driver, will take the wheel of Hamilton's SF-25 for FP1.
• Return to Cockpit: Hamilton is scheduled to return for the second practice session as the Mexican Grand Prix reverts to a traditional weekend format after the sprint race in Austin.
• Charles Leclerc is expected to participate in all sessions from the start of the weekend.