Lewis Hamilton and the 2% Club
On Sunday, June 14th, 2026, Lewis Hamilton took the checkered flag at the Barcelona Grand Prix, driving for Scuderia Ferrari. This victory was not just another win; it marked his record-setting 106th in Formula 1 and added Ferrari to his list of teams for which he has won a grand prix, bringing the total to three (McLaren, Mercedes, and Ferrari). With this achievement, Hamilton joined a select group of only 15 other drivers who have won a grand prix with three or more teams, placing him in the top 2% of all Formula 1 drivers. This accomplishment highlights not only his longevity in the sport but also his remarkable adaptability to succeed in different environments.
In a sport characterized by distinct technical eras and narrow competitive margins, changing teams is more than simply adopting new equipment; it signifies a shift in philosophies, cultures, and the essential chemistry needed to succeed at this level. Achieving victory typically demands years of continuity among the driver, engineers, and the organization. This is why most champions are primarily remembered for their dominance with one team—sometimes two. Winning with three teams requires something extraordinary: the ability to adapt talent across vastly different machines, which is a feat that very few athletes achieve in this sport.
The last time this occurred was over a decade ago, when Sebastian Vettel secured his first victory with Ferrari at the 2015 Malaysian Grand Prix. Since the year 2000, only five drivers have achieved this feat: Sebastian Vettel, Kimi Räikkönen, Jenson Button, Fernando Alonso, and now Lewis Hamilton.
Wins with three teams:
Sebastian Vettel - Toro Rosso, Red Bull, Ferrari
Kimi Räikkönen - Mclaren, Ferrari, Lotus
Jenson Button - Lucky Strike Honda, Brawn, McLaren
Fernando Alonso - Renault, McLaren, Ferrari
Gerhard Berger - Benetton, Ferrari, McLaren
Nelson Piquet - Brabham, Williams, Benetton
Niki Lauda - Ferrari, Brabham, McLaren
Carlos Reutemann - Brabham, Ferrari, Williams
Jody Schekter - Tyrrell, Wolf/Cosworth, Ferrari
Dan Gurney - Porsche, Brabham, AAR-Eagle
John Surtees - Ferrari, Cooper/Maserati, Honda
Wins with more than three teams:
Jackie Stewart - BRM, Matra, Tyrrell, March
Alain Prost - Renault, McLaren, Ferrari, Williams
Juan Manuel Fangio - Mercedes, Maserati, Alfa Romeo, Ferrari
More than four teams:
Stirling Moss - Mercedes, Maserati, Cooper, Lotus, Vanderwall
Ten of the sixteen drivers have won a grand prix with Ferrari.
