Lewis Hamilton is a driver.
The 2008 Formula One season was the 62nd season of Formula One motor racing , recognised by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile ( FIA ) -- the governing body of motorsport -- as the highest class of competition for open-wheel racing cars . Lewis Hamilton . In 2015 , he became the first British driver in history to win consecutive F1 titles , and the second British driver to win three titles after Jackie Stewart . He also became the first English driver to reach that milestone . He is the first driver in the history of F1 to have made the podium after starting 20th place or lower at least 3 times . The Formula One World Drivers ' Championship ( WDC ) is awarded by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile ( FIA ) to the most successful Formula One racing car driver over a season , as determined by a points system based on Grand Prix results .