Lewis Hamilton just etched his name even deeper into Formula 1 history. With one blistering lap at the Singapore Grand Prix, he did what many thought impossible : he broke a long-standing record held by Michael Schumacher. Sixteen consecutive seasons with a fastest lap — that’s not just impressive, it’s historic.
For fans who have followed the sport for decades, this is more than just a number on a stats sheet. It’s a story of consistency, resilience, and a driver who continues to push the limits even as the years roll by.
Breaking a record once thought untouchable
When people talk about Formula 1 greatness, two names almost always rise to the top : Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher. For years, Schumacher’s record of setting at least one fastest lap in 15 straight seasons seemed like a feat no one could top. That streak ran from 1992 to 2006, a period where Ferrari’s dominance felt almost unshakable.
Hamilton, who made his debut in 2007, has now surpassed it. By setting the fastest lap in Singapore in 2025, he achieved his 16th consecutive season with this milestone. It’s not just about speed ; it’s about being able to deliver when the tires are worn, the pressure is immense, and every second counts.
The early years of Hamilton’s journey
Hamilton’s rookie season in 2007 was dazzling — he nearly won the championship right out of the gate. A year later, he secured his first world title. But when it came to fastest laps, his start wasn’t as dominant. In fact, in 2009, he didn’t set a single fastest lap. That season with McLaren was tough, marked by inconsistency and near misses — like being just 0.063 seconds shy of Adrian Sutil’s benchmark at Monza.
From 2010 onward, though, something changed. Hamilton found a way to carve out at least one fastest lap every year. In 2010 alone, he set five, topping legends like Fernando Alonso. His raw pace, even in cars that weren’t always the best on the grid, began to shine through.
Looking back, it’s striking to see how often Hamilton thrived in adversity. I remember watching the 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix, where he grabbed the fastest lap in wet, chaotic conditions before being taken out in a collision. That moment stuck with me — it showed how Hamilton could extract performance in the trickiest circumstances.
Dominance in the hybrid era
The arrival of the turbo-hybrid era in 2014 completely changed the sport. And it was here that Mercedes and Hamilton built their dynasty. Seven fastest laps in 2014, eight in 2015, six in 2019, six again in 2020 — his numbers exploded.
Sometimes, these laps came with massive margins, nearly a full second faster than rivals. Other times, they were razor-thin, separated by less than 0.01 seconds. That kind of precision is what makes Hamilton’s streak so remarkable.
One telling example came at Suzuka in 2015, where he beat teammate Nico Rosberg’s lap by a full second. For fans watching, it was proof of just how dominant Hamilton could be when everything clicked.
But it wasn’t always about having the fastest car. In 2022, Mercedes struggled badly with its new design under ground-effect regulations. And yet, Hamilton still managed to secure fastest laps in Silverstone and the Hungaroring. Even in leaner years, he kept the streak alive.
The record-breaking moment in Singapore
Fast forward to 2025, and the scene was Singapore — one of the most grueling races on the calendar. Late in the Grand Prix, Hamilton unleashed a lap of 1:33.808. It was 0.765 seconds quicker than Pierre Gasly, who had looked poised to steal the honor. With that, Hamilton reached 68 career fastest laps and ensured his streak extended to an unprecedented 16 years.
For context, Schumacher still leads in total fastest laps with 77, but Hamilton isn’t far behind. Kimi Räikkönen, another master of speed, sits in third with 46. The fact that Hamilton continues to chase these milestones nearly two decades after his debut speaks volumes about his longevity.
As someone who grew up watching Schumacher dominate Sundays, I never imagined anyone would rewrite those pages of history. But here we are. Hamilton’s ability to adapt to different regulations, rivals, and eras makes this achievement stand out even more.
Hamilton’s latest milestone isn’t just about numbers ; it’s about reminding the world that greatness isn’t a flash in the pan. It’s built over years of relentless effort, mistakes, comebacks, and those magical laps where everything comes together.
So, what do you think — does this make Hamilton the undisputed fastest driver across generations, or is Schumacher’s legacy still unmatched ? Drop your thoughts in the comments, share this with fellow F1 fans, and let’s debate where this record truly ranks in the history books.
