Rivals and peers salute Lewis Hamilton as he hits 400 Formula 1 starts at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix

By Vancouver Television Sports Desk

Lewis Hamilton’s 400th Formula 1 race start arrives at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix as the Ferrari driver continues to compete at the sport’s highest level without any extended break from the grid. Speaking at Interlagos on Thursday, Hamilton called the milestone “kind of crazy,” saying he never expected to reach a number like 400 while still feeling “young,” pointing to his speed and dedication. He added that, for him, the figure is ultimately less important than being able to be in Brazil and still have the pace—referencing his pole position at last weekend’s Mexico City Grand Prix as evidence that he remains competitive. Hamilton enters the weekend with achievements that underline why the 400-start benchmark is so rare. With seven World Championships, 106 race wins and 105 pole positions, his record tally is second only to his former McLaren teammate Fernando Alonso in terms of total Formula 1 race starts, with Interlagos representing Alonso’s start number 445. Hamilton emphasized that his focus remains on performance rather than statistics, while acknowledging the historical weight of long service—he noted that photographers who have been at the track for 500 races exist, suggesting that kind of endurance is the standard to which he would eventually compare himself. Alonso, asked about Hamilton’s place in the “400 Club,” said he believes more drivers will reach that threshold as modern calendars expand and as careers extend. He congratulated Hamilton and wished him a “good race and a good weekend” at Interlagos, framing the milestone as proof of sustained competitiveness “in a very competitive position” across Hamilton’s entire career. Other current grid rivals also highlighted what Hamilton’s longevity represents. George Russell, Hamilton’s Mercedes teammate for three seasons, described his achievements on and off track as “incredible” and said the fact that Hamilton has not taken a year off reflects character and commitment. Russell also credited Hamilton’s passion for racing—stating Hamilton’s interest is largely concentrated on Formula 1 as the pinnacle of the sport—and pointed to the current season as Hamilton’s best since 2021. Outgoing World Champion Lando Norris agreed that Hamilton’s 2026 form has stood out, saying it has been “pretty unbelievable” to see him still battling at the front and engaging in close competition with Charles Leclerc. Norris specifically praised Hamilton’s improvements in getting more from the car and delivering stronger results consistently, while noting that Hamilton’s enthusiasm appeared to be different during earlier phases of the sport’s current-era regulations. For Norris and younger drivers, Hamilton’s endurance is also motivating: he said Hamilton’s career trajectory makes him regret having only won one championship so far, but also gave him greater confidence that he can fight for many more years. The milestone also underlined the future horizon for the “400 Club,” with discussion that new World Champion Kimi Antonelli could potentially reach the same landmark as early as 2041, illustrating how elite careers increasingly have the potential to span multiple decades.

caption:

eligibleCapsuleNotesRequiredBySystemNotShownInOutput.IGNORE_THIS_FIELD_FOR_RENDERING. Keep caption concise.