A scarcely believable 17 years ago, I was sitting in my parents' conservatory with my eyes glued to the TV, hoping that my Formula 1 hero would become a world champion.

With Lewis Hamilton out of contention down in sixth place, it looked certain that Ferrari's Felipe Massa would take the crown - but in the dying moments of the race came the immortal words from commentator Martin Brundle: "Is that Glock?!".

Hamilton sneaked down the inside of Timo's slow-moving Toyota on the last corner of the last lap in Brazil to secure the trophy in one of the most emotionally laden and iconic moments in motorsport history.

Fast forward to 2025 and statistically Hamilton is firmly the greatest F1 driver of all time, with seven world titles, 105 race wins and 104 pole positions to his name. Yet his talent cannot be measured by numbers alone, and there are several standout races that cement his legendary status.

He put on a dominant display at the rain-soaked British Grand Prix in 2008, lapping every car up to third and winning by more than a minute while showing phenomenal skill in changing conditions. In Bahrain in 2014, he duelled with Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg and eventually outclassed his title rival in one of the best races of the hybrid era so far.

And then there was the patience and precision Hamilton displayed in Turkey in 2020, as he deftly managed his worn intermediate tyres to claim his seventh world title.

And it's not just Hamilton's gobsmacking driving prowess that makes him one of the best: his unwavering consistency while performing under immense pressure also sets him apart. Hamilton needed to win the last four races of the 2021 season to ensure his eighth world title was still a possibility, and he drove with a relentless level of determination to try to make it so.

Shunted to the back of the grid in Brazil for a DRS infringement, Hamilton battled to fifth in the sprint before storming to a sensational victory in Sunday's race. I knew he would win, but this was a masterclass. He then dominated in Qatar, trumped a wild Max Verstappen in Saudi Arabia and, well, we all know what happened in Abu Dhabi. I prefer not to think about it.

Some of Hamilton's most worthy achievements come outside the context of the leaderboard, his commitment to bettering the lives of others revealing his true character. From wearing a rainbow-decorated helmet to support the LGBTQ+ community to taking the knee for the Black Lives Matter movement, he has put himself forward as an advocate for change.

He even founded his own charity, Mission 44, to support young people around the world in education and guide them into STEM careers.

And while many have been quick to judge Hamilton for pursuing his interests in fashion and music, even at the age of 40 his passion for racing shines through. This was made clear when he made the shock decision to ditch Mercedes and join the storied Scuderia Ferrari in search of another title.

The image of him standing outside the office of Enzo Ferrari at Fiorano, a red F40 parked behind him, is already etched into the history books. 'The greatest driver joining the greatest team' has created a whole new narrative for the sport.

The switch has been challenging, but even if that eighth title continues to elude him, his legacy will be one that transcends the boundaries of the F1 paddock.

A knight of the realm, a role model for generations to come and, for me, the greatest of all time.