Key Highlights:
- Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton reaches a historic milestone this weekend at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix by starting his 400th Formula 1 race.
- Hamilton becomes only the second driver in F1 history to cross the 400-race threshold, joining Fernando Alonso, who marks his 445th start at Interlagos.
- Unlike Alonso, Hamilton’s tally represents an unbroken streak across 20 consecutive seasons at the pinnacle of motorsport without taking a single year off.
The Sao Paulo Grand Prix marks an extraordinary milestone in Formula 1 history as Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton enters his 400th Grand Prix this weekend at Interlagos. Over an uninterrupted career spanning 20 continuous seasons at the highest tier of motorsport, the 41-year-old British driver has established a legendary resume featuring seven World Championships, 106 victories, and 105 pole positions. Hamilton demonstrated that his competitive edge remains razor-sharp by claiming pole position as recently as the previous round at the Mexico City Grand Prix, reaffirming that his focus and outright speed have not diminished with age.
Hamilton Reflects on an Unprecedented Milestone
Approaching the landmark weekend in Brazil, Hamilton looked back on reaching the 400-race mark while remaining steadfast about his current capabilities and future targets in the sport.
“It’s kind of crazy,” he said at Interlagos on Thursday when asked about his 400th race. “I never ever thought that I would be reaching numbers like that. It’s crazy, because I still feel young, and regardless of the things that people say, you saw my pole last week – I still have the pace, I still have the speed, and I still have the dedication, which is most important, and the focus.
“For me, that number is kind of irrelevant. It’s beautiful to be able to have that here in Brazil. I’ve heard of some photographers who have been there for 500 races. At some stage, that’s probably where I’ll be.”
Paddock Rivals Welcome Hamilton to the ‘400 Club’
Hamilton becomes just the second driver in history to enter the exclusive fraternity, joining his former McLaren teammate Fernando Alonso. The Spaniard, who will take his 445th career start at Interlagos, welcomed Hamilton’s induction into the milestone group while noting how the expansion of modern racing schedules could shape future participation numbers.
“Yes, of course,” said Alonso when asked about having Hamilton in the ‘400 Club’. “I think, yes, it’s a big number. More and more drivers, I think, will join the club with these very long calendars. I think if you race 10 years now, you are more than 250.
“But yes, Lewis obviously has had an incredible career in F1, and 400 races, all of them in a very competitive position. Congratulations to him, and hopefully a good race and a good weekend for him.”
Tributes also poured in from the current generation of titleholders and former partners. New World Champion Kimi Antonelli approaches his 44th start this weekend—a number tightly bound to Hamilton’s iconic racing identity and Antonelli’s hero, Ayrton Senna. At a current rate of 24 races annually, Antonelli could theoretically enter the 400 Club as early as 2041.
“He’s incredible,” said Antonelli. “First of all, how he can still perform at his age, like Fernando at the end of the day. To see him with the same hunger and determination is very cool, and inspirational as well. And it could be a good sign for me. I’m just 20, hopefully at 41, I’ll be still here racing, and competing at the top.
“It’s incredible what he has achieved. I mean, he has broken so many records and is still doing so. So very happy, and a big privilege to be able to race against him – and hopefully many more battles in the future.”
George Russell, Antonelli’s Mercedes teammate who drove alongside Hamilton for three seasons, commended the mental fortitude and physical endurance required to stay at the front of the pack without interruption.
“What he’s achieved on and off track has been incredible,” said Russell. “He’s an inspiration to so many. The fact that he’s not had a year off just shows the sort of character he is, and he is definitely built differently to a number of other athletes around the world. But that’s why he’s one of the best ever.
“He loves racing, he loves F1. He doesn’t have much interest in other racing series outside of F1, because this is the pinnacle, and I respect that. I respect [Max] Verstappen on the other side, who’s got a lot of interest in other racing series outside.
“There’s no right or wrong, but he’s still going strong. And this season has probably been his best season in F1 since 2021.”
Outgoing World Champion Lando Norris highlighted how Hamilton’s intra-team battles against Charles Leclerc at Ferrari have emphasized his timeless pace throughout the 2026 campaign.
“It’s pretty unbelievable, what he’s been able to do for such a long time, even to now,” said Norris. “To see him fighting against Charles [Leclerc], and I think Charles is easily one of the best on the grid, insanely quick, and the fact that Lewis is still giving him a good fight, especially this year.
“I think everyone’s enjoyed the fact he was able to give Charles a better performance, not just give his team mate a better performance, but also look like he was getting more out of the car, and achieving better results every time.
“He maybe seemed to not like the last few years as much in terms of the last few years of cars that we had, that kind of regulation. But he seems to look like he’s back to normal in terms of fighting at the front, and proving that he’s one of the best out there. So I think it’s a pretty incredible achievement for him to fight for this long.”
Norris further reflected on how Hamilton’s extended career alters perspectives for younger competitors eyeing their own long-term trajectories.
“He’s a good inspiration for many of us,” he said. “I certainly don’t think I’m going that far, but it’s a good thing to look forward to in terms of my career. I know I was happy with one championship. But when I look at Lewis, he makes me not very happy to have only won one championship!
“But that’s in a good way, that I can look at him and see him at his age, in his form, and it makes me believe more than ever, that I can fight for many, many more years. And that’s something I look forward to doing.”
Why This Matters
Hamilton reaching 400 starts underscores a significant evolution in Formula 1 endurance and longevity. While Fernando Alonso previously blazed the trail into the 400s, Alonso stepped away from the series between 2019 and 2020 before returning. Hamilton’s 400-race milestone is completely uninterrupted, spanning two decades of evolving technical regulations, immense physical strain, and high-pressure team dynamics without a sabbatical.
With Formula 1’s modern calendar staging 24 races a year, achieving triple-digit appearance counts accumulates much faster than in previous eras. Yet, staying competitive at the front of the grid across 20 consecutive seasons remains an exceedingly rare benchmark, setting an unprecedented standard for future championship contenders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who holds the all-time record for the most Formula 1 race starts?
Fernando Alonso holds the absolute record for the most Formula 1 starts, participating in his 445th Grand Prix this weekend at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix in Interlagos.
How does Lewis Hamilton’s 400-race record differ from Fernando Alonso’s?
While Fernando Alonso took time away from Formula 1 during his career, Lewis Hamilton has competed across 20 consecutive, uninterrupted seasons at the top tier of motorsport without taking a single year off.
What recent achievement proved Hamilton’s ongoing pace ahead of his 400th race?
Just one week before his 400th start, the 41-year-old Ferrari driver secured pole position at the Mexico City Grand Prix, bringing his career total to 105 pole positions.