November 2, 2008 – Lewis Hamilton secures first F1 World Drivers’ Championship

Lewis Hamilton celebrating his first Drivers’ Championship after the 2008 Brazilian Grand Prix. By diogo dubiella from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – CC BY-SA 2.0

The 2008 Formula 1 season was a gripping and closely contested championship that saw Lewis Hamilton secure his first F1 Drivers’ Championship. Throughout the season, Hamilton, driving for McLaren-Mercedes, consistently demonstrated his determination and skill. It all began in Melbourne, Australia, where Hamilton finished third in the season opener, while Kimi Räikkönen won for Ferrari. His victory on the iconic streets of Monaco in May highlighted his status as a serious title contender. Another win in Canada and a triumphant performance at his home race in Silverstone further boosted his championship hopes. However, the season wasn’t without its challenges, as the Hungarian Grand Prix saw Hamilton crashing out in a pit lane accident.

Lewis Hamilton at the 2007 Canadian Grand Prix, his first F1 win. By Mark McArdle – CC BY-SA 2.0

Despite this setback, Hamilton managed to maintain his momentum by securing a victory in Valencia, Spain. The championship battle continued to ebb and flow, with Hamilton’s win at Spa-Francorchamps and Massa’s triumph at Monza. The season took an unexpected twist in Singapore, with a controversial crash and a surprising win for Fernando Alonso, leaving Hamilton to finish third. However, Hamilton regained his form with crucial victories in Japan and China, setting the stage for a thrilling showdown at the Brazilian Grand Prix.

Who won the 2008 Brazilian Grand Prix? Not Lewis Hamilton

The season’s climax occurred at Interlagos in São Paulo, Brazil. Massa won the race and appeared set to claim the championship. However, a late rain shower created chaos, and in the closing laps, Hamilton managed to overtake Toyota’s Timo Glock, securing the fifth place he needed to clinch the championship by just one point. The 2008 season will be remembered as one of the most exciting and closely contested in F1 history, and Lewis Hamilton’s first championship win marked the beginning of an illustrious career that would see him become one of the sport’s greatest drivers.

The best way to support This Day in Automotive History is to become a monthly subscriber on Facebook.

Subscriber benefits include:

  • Most importantly, you’re supporting great content about Automotive History
  • Early access to content on Facebook
  • Discounts on our store
  • Special live videos

If you learned something today, please buy me a beer!

No payment method connected. Contact seller.

This Day in Automotive History - the book!

This Day In Automotive History

By Brian Corey

This book tells fascinating tales, bringing individual days to life with short stories, photographs and illustrations.

This Day in Automotive History

This Day in Automotive History is a transportation history, car history and general automotive history website dedicated to providing informative and entertaining content.

We encourage you to share our page and connect with us on Facebook or sign up for our automotive history newsletter. If you’d like your car featured, reach out to us!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER!

Connect with us on Facebook or sign up for our automotive history newsletter to keep in touch.