Lewis Hamilton is a British professional race car driver in Formula One. Hamilton won the World Championship on November 2, 2008, in Sao Paulo, Brazi.Sify: Scherzinger 'nearly collapsed' (November 5, 2008)

Lewis Hamilton began kart racing in 1993 at the age of eight. When he was 13 years old, Hamilton was offered a contract from McLaren Driver Development Support programme. This made him the youngest driver ever to sign with a Formula One team.

After competing in Formula Renault, Formula Three and GP2, Hamilton finally made the move to Formula One in 2007. On June 10, Hamilton got his first career Formula One win at the Canadian Grand Prix. Not only was it his first ever win as a rookie, but Lewis also became the first black driver to win a Formula One race.ESPN.com: Hamilton first black driver to win F1 race (June 10, 2007)

• Planet-F1: Results in F1
  • Height: 5'7"
  • Weight: 155
  • Rookie Year: 2007

• Planet-F1: Results in F1
  • Height: 5'7"
  • Weight: 155
  • Rookie Year: 2007

• 1950s: Hamilton's grandparents emigrate to the United Kingdom from Grenada

• January 7, 1985: Born in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, England

• 1992: Finishes second in the national championship for radio-controlled cars

• 1993: Begins Carting at age 8

• 1998: Secures an F1 contract at age 13

• 2000: European karting champion

• 2001: Begins car racing career in the British Formula Renault Winter Series

• 2004: Makes debut in the Formula Three Euroseries

• 2005: Named to "Top 50 Drivers of 2005" by Autosport Magazine

• 2007: Makes F1 debut, wins Canadian Grand Prix