Lewis Hamilton

2002
Graduates from karting to single-seaters, finishing third in the formula Renault series.

2003
Wins Formula Renault title with two rounds to spare. Ten race victories, nine fastest laps and 11 pole positions.

2004
Graduates to the Formula Three Euroseries.

2005
Dominates the Formula Three Euroseries, taking the title with 15 wins, 10 fastest laps and 13 pole positions.

2007
Stunning debut season, scoring podiums in his first nine races. Secures four wins and six poles as he out-performs champion team mate Fernando Alonso. Title favourite until errors in final two rounds drop him to second place behind Kimi Raikkonen.

2008
At 23, becomes the youngest world champion in Formula One history, after five wins and a further five podiums take him to the title by a single point on only his second attempt. Commits to McLaren until the end of 2012.

2009
Disqualified from fourth in Australia for misleading race stewards. Averages a point a race until round ten, when he scores shock win after McLaren car development comes good. Four poles and a further four podiums, including another win in Singapore, round off season in resurgent fashion.