Lewis Hamilton reaches a huge career milestone at this weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix, as he prepares to make his 400th grand prix start.

The Ferrari driver will be welcomed into the 400 club by former teammate Fernando Alonso, who at last has some company in this particular, very exclusive F1 driver circle.

Fernando Alonso says ‘congratulations’ to Lewis Hamilton

These multi-time world champions were already brothers in arms as Formula 1’s pair of drivers still competing into their 40s.

Now, Hamilton is preparing for a landmark 400th grand prix start, set to take place at Interlagos. Alonso is the only other driver to achieve this.

Of the active grid, Sergio Perez is next down the road, set for his 305th race.

Ahead of the Brazilian GP, Alonso was asked whether, as the founder and president of the F1 400 club, he welcomes his former McLaren teammate Hamilton.

“Yes, of course.

“I think, yeah, it’s a big number. More and more drivers, I think, will join the club with these very long calendars. I think if you race 10 years now, you are more than 250.

“But yeah, Lewis, obviously incredible career in Formula 1 and 400 races, all of them in a very competitive position.

“Congratulations to him, and hopefully a good race and good weekend for him.”

As for Hamilton, he finds it a little “crazy” that he has reached such a milestone.

However, it is not simply the number that makes his mind boggle. It is more how he feels despite having so many miles on the clock.

He pointed to his pole position last time out at the Mexican Grand Prix – that a 105th career pole and first with Ferrari – in highlighting that he still has the pace to compete at the front.

Most importantly, the “dedication” and “focus” also is still there.

“It’s kind of crazy. I never ever thought that I would be reaching numbers like that,” said the seven-time world champion.

“It’s crazy because I still feel young, and regardless of the things that people say, you saw my pole last week. I still have the pace. I still have the speed, and I still have the dedication, which is most important, and the focus.”

Alonso and Hamilton spent just one, volatile season together at McLaren in 2007. From there, the Spaniard returned to Renault, while Hamilton clinched his first of seven titles in 2008.

He went on to add six further championships to his CV as part of Mercedes’ record-breaking run of F1 dominance between 2014-21, Hamilton becoming the most successful Formula 1 driver of all-time.

The Brit joined Ferrari in 2025, with the aim of restoring title-winning ways to the Scuderia, this a team which has not tasted such success since its 2008 Constructors’ title win. Kimi Raikkonen remains Ferrari’s most recent Drivers’ champion, dating back to 2007.