Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton is entering his 20th season as a Formula 1 driver, and in that time, he’s broken record after record.
No Formula 1 driver has won as many races or secured as many pole positions as Lewis Hamilton during his 380 Grand Prix starts.
Only Fernando Alonso has more race entries in his career, and Hamilton goes into the 2026 season with Ferrari in the hopes of overtaking Michael Schumacher’s joint-record of seven world championships.
One of the sportspeople in another discipline that Hamilton could be compared to is Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ronaldo currently holds the record for most goals scored in professional football, as his tally approaches 1000.
Now plying his trade in Saudi Arabia as he prepares for the 2026 World Cup, Ronaldo and Hamilton have previously drawn comparisons, which the 41-year-old driver was very excited to hear about.
Lewis Hamilton admitted being compared to Cristiano Ronaldo was ‘pretty cool’
Speaking during the 2018 F1 season, when it was brought up, via the Daily Express, that he had been compared to Ronaldo, Hamilton said: “I did not know that yet, but I think that’s pretty cool.
“He is among the best players in a long time and a true legend in football.
”So that’s a real compliment, if that’s the case. I definitely watch other sports and see legends, and being named together with them is truly an honour.”
Ronaldo was then a guest of Mercedes at the following year’s Monaco Grand Prix, and was seen embracing Hamilton in the garage.
However, Hamilton was asked at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix in 2024 whether he was on the Ronaldo or Lionel Messi side of the debate.
He answered: “Messi or Ronaldo? I keep getting asked this question!
“I like Messi’s skill. They’re both amazing to be honest, but I’m a Messi fan in the end.”
What records could Lewis Hamilton break if he wins the 2026 Formula 1 championship?
The record that Hamilton is chasing above all will be an eighth drivers’ championship.
Last season won’t have filled his fans with much hope after failing to finish on the podium and scoring 86 fewer points than teammate Charles Leclerc.
If Hamilton or Aston Martin star Fernando Alonso did win the title, they would become the first driver in decades to win a championship over the age of 40.
Australian driver Jack Brabham was the last person to achieve that feat when he won the title in 1966.
Juan Manuel Fangio won the championship with four teams, but Hamilton would join an exclusive list of drivers who have achieved that feat with three different manufacturers.
On top of this, Hamilton would then set the record for the biggest gap between winning his first and last championship, having won his first title with McLaren back in 2008.
There’s still so much for Hamilton to achieve despite his longevity and previous record in F1.
And if he’s going to take inspiration from anyone to go and become an eight-time world champion, then Ronaldo’s ridiculous scoring record throughout his career is where Hamilton should be looking.
READ MORE: Lewis Hamilton once revealed the unique reason he supports Arsenal over Tottenham
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