On Sunday, 40-year-old seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton became the first driver in the history of the Formula One World Championship to exceed 5,000 career points, a landmark cementing his long-term consistency and elite status.
Hamilton’s total now stands at 5,004.5 points, according to the official career-statistics site. The previous best score is by Dutch driver Max Verstappen with 3,329.5 points under the same scoring system.
Although the figure underscores Hamilton’s remarkable career, it also arrives amid a less-celebrated phase; his first full season with Scuderia Ferrari, in which podium finishes have been harder to come by.
Hamilton’s achievement also draws attention to the era he raced in. Since the scoring system was significantly expanded in 2010, awarding points to more finishers, sprint races and fastest laps, career totals have ballooned. Analysts note this makes direct comparisons with earlier eras tricky.
At the same time, Hamilton holds another, less enviable record; he has now endured the longest podium drought in Ferrari’s long history in Formula One. Despite this, the Ferrari team principal was quick to praise his spirit. “Lewis can still inspire every team-mate and competitor,” he said. In a sport of extremes, Hamilton’s double record, the highest point tally and the longest wait for a podium at Ferrari, is a vivid illustration of both his longevity and his current challenge.
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