As Lewis Hamilton turns 40, Could he join the nine F1 drivers who won after 40?

Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time Formula 1 World Champion, celebrates his milestone 40th birthday today, January 7. The occasion marks a significant turning point in his career as he prepares for the 2025 F1 season, his first with Ferrari, after 12 record-breaking seasons with Mercedes.

Hamilton’s transition to Ferrari

Hamilton’s decision to leave Mercedes, where he secured 84 Grand Prix victories and six of his seven world titles, has taken the F1 world by surprise. The Briton will now close out his legendary career with Ferrari, a team renowned for its rich racing history and competitive spirit. As he embarks on this new chapter, Hamilton will aim to continue competing at the highest level.

A unique place in F1’s history

As Hamilton turns 40, he joins an exclusive group of drivers who have continued to race well into their forties. In 2025, he will be one of only two drivers aged 40 or more on the grid, alongside Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso, who turns 44 in July. The question on many minds is can Hamilton join the small number of F1 drivers who have won races beyond the age of 40?

F1 drivers who won after 40

Only nine drivers in F1 history have managed to win races after turning 40. Hamilton could potentially make it an even 10 in 2025. Let’s take a look at the legendary drivers who achieved this remarkable feat:

Graham Hill (40 years old)
Hill, a two-time World Champion, won his final Grand Prix at the 1969 Monaco Grand Prix, marking his 14th and last victory in F1.

Maurice Trintignant (40 years old)
After a miraculous recovery from a near-fatal crash, Trintignant secured his final F1 victory at the 1958 Monaco Grand Prix.

Nigel Mansell (41 years old)
Mansell is the most recent driver to win a race after 40. The 1992 World Champion triumphed at the 1994 Australian Grand Prix, clinching his 31st and final victory.

Sam Hanks (42 years old)
Hanks’ only Grand Prix victory came at the 1957 Indianapolis 500, a race that counted as part of the F1 World Championship at the time.

Jack Brabham (43 years old)
The Australian driver won his 14th and final Grand Prix at the 1970 South African Grand Prix, making him one of the oldest F1 race winners.

Piero Taruffi (45 years old)
Taruffi’s career win came at the 1952 Swiss Grand Prix when he was 45 years and 219 days old, marking a rare achievement in F1 history.

Juan Manuel Fangio (46 years old)
Regarded as one of F1’s greatest drivers, Fangio clinched his final victory at the 1957 German Grand Prix, at the age of 46.

Giuseppe Farina (46 years old)
The inaugural World Champion of F1, Farina won his final race at the 1953 German Grand Prix with Ferrari, at the age of 46.

Luigi Fagioli (53 years old)
Fagioli, the oldest F1 race winner, triumphed at the 1951 French Grand Prix with Alfa Romeo, at the age of 53 years and 22 days. His record as the oldest winner is unlikely to be broken soon.

Looking ahead: Can Hamilton make history?

As the new season unfolds, all eyes will be on Hamilton, who will be aiming to add to his legendary career with Ferrari. His birthday marks the beginning of a fresh chapter in his pursuit of F1 greatness. Whether he can secure another victory after turning 40 remains to be seen, but one thing is certain, Hamilton’s legacy in the sport is already cemented.