2016 | Race Wins: 10 | Poles: 12 | Second
It took a zen-like approach from Nico Rosberg and few botched upstarts by Hamilton for the German to finally win his only F1 title. Over the course of the season, Rosberg held the psychological edge as he carried over his momentum from last year into 2016.
Hamilton still had 10 victories to Nico's 9, more poles and led more laps, in the third straight face-off between childhood karting friends turned fierce rivals. But the crown slipped away - and for the second time after Button in 2011, he finished behind a teammate on points.
2017 | Race Wins: 9 | Poles: 11 | World Champion
For the first time in 3 years, the direct championship rival was not his teammate but Sebastian Vettel in a resurgent Ferrari. He went up against Vettel and while it appeared that the fight was going to go deep into the season, with fairly evenly matched cars, post the summer break, he blew away the field. 5 out of 6 wins in the second half of the year knocked the wind out of Vettel who imploded under the pressure as Hamilton matched him to become the latest 4-time world champion after Fangio, Prost, Schumacher and Vettel.
2018 | Race Wins: 9 | Poles: 9 | World Champion
The fifth one - sealed in Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Mexico City, probably will be the title that he will enjoy the most - having not had the fastest car over the course of several races this year.
Ferrari had made massive gains, even nudged ahead of Mercedes. The consensus of the paddock held that a very quick Ferrari held an advantage over Mercedes, at least until the Belgian Grand Prix. Even Ferrari insiders concede that Hamilton has driven an error-free season. Hockenheim, Monza, Singapore and Suzuka were won with stellar drives and he deserves the accolades coming his way. It was won with style, class, skill and speed.
#All statistics as of Mexican Grand Prix 2018.