LEWIS HAMILTON has done it.
The perky kid from Stevenage, who could never be told he wasn’t good enough, is now standing atop the podium for all-time Formula One world titles.
Alongside Michael Schumacher, the Brit now holds seven Drivers’ Championship crowns.
It all started in dramatic circumstances with McLaren in Brazil, overtaking Timo Glock at the final corner to shock home hero Felipe Massa.
Fast forward 12 years and five more titles, and Hamilton reigned supreme once again as he drove through the wet in Istanbul to secure a trademark victory.
Here, recounts the seven titles that the 35-year-old calls his own.
#1 – 2008
Hamilton took his maiden F1 title in dramatic circumstances.
The Brit passed Timo Glock on the final lap in Brazil to finish in fifth place and clinch the title by a point. Ferrari’s Felipe Massa breaks down in tears at missing out to the McLaren man.
#2 – 2014
Hamilton won his second title and Mercedes’ first of the new hybrid-turbo era, beating Nico Rosberg to it.
Hamilton went into the final race with a 17-point lead but the season is denied a grandstand finish as Rosberg suffered reliability issues and Hamilton won in Abu Dhabi.
#3 – 2015
A crushing win for Hamilton as he secured the title with three races to go. The Brit’s victory in the US GP stopped Rosberg’s challenge dead.
However, the German did still win the remaining three races of the season in Mexico, Brazil and Abu Dhabi.
#4 – 2017
After being denied n 2016 by Rosberg, who subsequently retired, Hamilton joined Sebastian Vettel on four world titles the following year.
He won it in Mexico, with two races to go as he traded wins with the German over the course of the season.
#5 – 2018
Another crushing win for Hamilton, who finished the season with 11 victories. He wrapped the title up in Mexico and finished a whopping 88 points clear of second-placed Vettel.
The defining moment came when Vettel crashed out of his home GP and Hamilton, who started 14th, won the race.
#6 – 2019
A straightforward season for Hamilton as the early threat to his crown initially posed by Bottas quickly dropped away.
Hamilton was unchallenged as he romped to the title as Ferrari’s engine advantage was stopped by the FIA, following an investigation that remained private.
#7 – 2020
The coronavirus-affected season produced an incredibly unusual F1 season – but Hamilton took it all in his stride.
Social justice issues became a focal point of the veteran’s persona and he beat Schumacher’s race victories record before levelling the German legend’s titles tally.