Lewis Hamilton Made Formula 1 History Twice on Sunday

Lewis Hamilton’s Record-Breaking 5,000 Points in Context

Hamilton’s career began in 2007 with McLaren, and over nearly two decades, he has collected wins, poles, and podiums that few can match. Part of his points total is thanks to the modern points system.

Introduced in 2010, the current format awards points to more finishers, making comparisons across eras tricky. So, while the number itself is staggering, it must be seen in context.

Take Michael Schumacher as an example. He scored 1,566 points under the previous system, but recalculated under the current system, it would equal 3,880 points, placing him second in F1 history. Regardless, the F1 legend still ranks 10th in this elite list.

F1’s All-Time Career Points Leaders

Here’s how the updated leaderboard stands after the 2025 United States Grand Prix:

1. Lewis Hamilton - 5,004.5
2. Max Verstappen - 3,329.5
3. Sebastian Vettel - 3,098
4. Fernando Alonso - 2,374
5. Kimi Raikkonen - 1,873
6. Valtteri Bottas - 1,797
7. Sergio Perez - 1,638
8. Charles Leclerc - 1,622
9. Nico Rosberg - 1,594.5
10. Michael Schumacher - 1,566
11. Lando Norris – 1,339
12. Daniel Ricciardo - 1,329
13. Carlos Sainz – 1,310.5

Meanwhile, the remaining drivers from the 2025 F1 season stand at:

17. George Russell - 966
19. Oscar Piastri - 735
22. Nico Hulkenberg - 612
26. Esteban Ocon - 473
27. Pierre Gasly - 456
35. Lance Stroll - 324
36. Alex Albon - 313
81. Yuki Tsunoda - 119
92. Kimi Antonelli - 89
124. Isack Hadjar - 39
125. Liam Lawson - 36
142. Oliver Bearman - 27
162. Gabriel Bortoleto - 18
264. Franco Colapinto - 5

It’s noteworthy that Charles Leclerc, Sergio Perez, and Valtteri Bottas are the only three drivers in the top 10 who haven’t won a world championship, an impressive feat considering the rest are title holders.

Additionally, both Perez and Bottas are set to embark on a new chapter in Cadillac’s debut F1 season in 2026, marking a major shift in their careers and adding another intriguing storyline to the grid next year.

In summary, crossing the 5,000-point threshold is a milestone that underscores Hamilton’s consistency, longevity, and adaptability in Formula 1. Even as his Ferrari chapter tests his patience, the achievement cements Hamilton’s status as the sport’s ultimate benchmark, a driver whose greatness now spans eras, not just seasons.