There are few people in the world who are considered to be the greatest in the world at what they do. There are a lot of different things that need to converge within a person in order for that to be possible. In many cases, it seems like it's the type of thing that the particular person had to have been destined to do. These are the type of people who separate themselves from everyone else in their given field.

In sports, the title of "greatest" is reserved for those generational talents that only come along once within that given generation. They're those athletes that were born and bred to do what it is that they do. These individuals set a bar and standard that everyone else is judged on in order to see how they rank against the best. Throughout the sporting history of the last century, some of these greats include Ali, Brady, Magic, Ruth, and Ronaldo.

Racing is a sport that also has its greats. Names like "Petty" and "Parnelli Jones" are those that all NASCAR racers know and hope to be held with the same regard. In Formula One, Michael Schumacher is a name that everyone knows, but he's not the only one. British racer Lewis Hamilton has been and continues to create a legacy for himself that will live on in the history of Formula One racing for decades to come. Here are 20 facts about one of the Formula One greatest that not many people may know.

20 1991 BRCA Competition

The British Radio Car Association holds yearly radio car (also known as "remote control cars") racing competitions. In 1991, at the age of 6 years old, Lewis Hamilton placed 2nd in a national radio car racing competition where he was competing against (and beating) adults. This was the time in his life when he began to gain the love for racing and was bitten by the bug. A love for racing, competition, and striving to be the best has been a part of his life since he was a young child.

19 Kart Racing

For young people who are looking to make their way into British auto racing, kart racing is where it all starts. Lewis Hamilton made his way into his first kart at the age of 8 years old. By 1995, at 10 years old, he won the British Karting Championship and the STP Karting Championship. He then won the Mercedes Champions of the Future Series where he was noticed by McLaren Mercedes. They would soon become his 1st racing sponsor, and his racing career would begin to take off from there.

18 Contracted At 13

For most people, at 12 or 13, they're playing video games and dealing with the stresses that junior high school has to offer. This wasn't the case for Lewis Hamilton, who was doing things that most 12-year-old kids only dream of. At 12 (1997), Hamilton entered into the McLaren Mercedes young drivers program. This is where young prospects begin to learn the skills they need to push on to the next level and get behind the wheel of a true race car. At 13, he became the youngest driver ever to be contracted by a Formula One team.

17 A "Rising Star"

Once he became contracted, Hamilton began to race all over Europe and gain much-needed experience and skills he would put to good use. Before he reached Formula 3 racing (which is like the minor leagues before reaching Formula 1), he raced in Formula A and Formula Super A across the continent. In 2000, at the age of 15, he was named European Champion in all 4 rounds. He then was then given admittance into the British Racing Driver's Club as a "Rising Star" member. He was racking up racing accolades before most people are ever even able to get their driver's license.

16 Formula 3 Debut

Reaching Formula 3 racing is a big step for all drivers because if they can prove themselves in one or more of these racing series, it can lead to a Formula 1 contract and career.

Lewis Hamilton made his debut in Formula 3 racing at the age of 16 in the British Formula Renault Winter Series.

He made his debut, and he was able to hold his own. Hamilton would soon make his way to the top of that racing series as well. To put this amazing feat into perspective, just think about what you were doing at 16.

15 2003 Championship

After making his Formula 3 debut, Hamilton would improve and make his way to the top of the sport faster than any driver had. At the age of 18, he won his first serious European championship by winning the Formula Renault 2.0 UK Championship. He won this series with quite a points lead on all of the other drivers. There were 2 races left in the series, and he was ahead by so many points that there was no way anyone was going to catch him. Once he conquered this series, he made his way around to other Formula 3 series to stake his claim.

14 ASM Formula 3

This particular Formula 3 series format is a result of a merger between the French and German Formula 3 Championships. This series would be the next series that Lewis Hamilton would take on in his quest to make his way into Formula One. In 2005, he won this series Championship and was ranked 24th out of the 50 racers in the series. He was a phenomenal talent, and he'd continue to take Formula 3 by storm to prove his worth and skill. It wouldn't be long until he was able to sign his first Formula One contract.

13 The GP2 Series

This Formula 3 series would be the final series for Hamilton to show what he was made of, and he would definitely make the most of it. While driving for ART Grand Prix in 2006, he would win the GP2 Series Championship, and it would only take him one attempt. He would win 5 races that season in his pursuit of the Championship. This definitely caught the attention of Formula One teams who already had their eyes on Hamilton. The following year would be the year when he would get to make his Formula One debut.

12 1st Season In Formula One

His first season as a Formula One racer would come in 2007 after being contracted by McLaren Mercedes. Hamilton would make a major impact and a statement in his rookie season.

He would set rookie records that season for race wins, pole positions, and points.

Despite being a rookie, he was in contention for the championship that season all the way up through the final race of the season in Brazil. He would go on to win his first Formula One Championship in 2008 and would become, at the age of 23, the youngest driver to do so.

11 Disqualification

All people can hit bumps in the road and can make mistakes that they'll ultimately regret. Lewis Hamilton came across this problem in 2009. Prior to the 2009 Australian Grand Prix, Hamilton was disqualified for giving misleading information at the stewards hearing before the race. It's something that Hamilton would later apologize for and learn from. It was definitely a situation that would put some doubt in his mind, as he considered leaving Formula One racing, but like all resilient people, he'd bounce back to greatness again.

10 Mercedes AMG Petronas

Hamilton spent 6 very successful years with McLaren Mercedes, but in 2013, he was ready for a new setting and new challenges. That year, he signed with the Mercedes AMG Petronas Team. His inaugural season with this team would be a successful one where he'd take the podium in his second race, his first solo victory in his 9th race with the team. He'd finish the year with one victory, 5 podiums, 5 poles, and in 4th place in the series with 189 points. This would be the beginning of a great partnership and one that continues still.

9 2014 BBC Sports Personality of the Year

2014 would prove to be a groundbreaking year for Hamilton. That was the year he'd win his second World Championship in a season-long battle with his teammate Nico Rosberg and rack up an incredible resume. He finished that season with 11 race wins, 7 pole positions, 7 fastest race laps, and 16 podium finishes. He was a constant threat throughout the 19 races of that season and was always a contender every time he was behind the wheel. This would lead him to be named the 2014 BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

8 Back-To-Back

One of the hardest things to do in any sport is to repeat as champion.

In 2015, Lewis Hamilton would win the Formula One World Championship again.

He won that season with 381 points and 3 races left to go in the season. He won by 67 points, and he'd do it while racking up a resume that was just as impressive as the year before. He'd defend that title with 10 race wins, 8 fastest laps, 11 pole positions, and 17 podium finishes. He'd do all that in 19 races of the season. He was hitting a stride of dominance, and he wouldn't be denied.

7 Most Excellent Order Of The British Empire

In 2009, Lewis Hamilton was admitted into the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) by Queen Elizabeth II. This is an order of chivalry that has multiple levels, and the MBE is the introductory level. These honors are bestowed on British nationals and Commonwealth citizens that achieving significant honors in their representation of the United Kingdom. Hamilton isn't the first British racer to be admitted into this order. Sir Jackie Stewart was originally admitted as an Officer of the order in 1972 and was later elevated to Knighthood in 2001.

6 1st Black Champion

Lewis Hamilton was a trailblazer in Formula One racing on a variety of different levels. He set the standard for rookies. In 2008, he became the highest-paid British sportsman when he signed with McLaren Mercedes with a huge multimillion dollar contract. He's redefined what it is to be a Formula One Champion by age and race.

He's the first black Formula One Champion in the history of the sport.

He's a role model for other children across the world to show that no matter who you are or where you come from, you can do what you set your mind to doing.

5 Monaco

In 2012, Hamilton decided to move to the small Mediterranean country of Monaco. When he originally left the United Kingdom, he moved to Switzerland. He cited increased personal privacy and the taxation within the United Kingdom as the main reasons for his leaving his home country. He was highly scrutinized by British media for this move, but he did what he felt was right for him. He's never been one to listen to what others had to say because if he had, he probably wouldn't be where he is today. He's the type of man that knows what he wants and isn't afraid to go and get it.

4 Speeding Tickets?

He loves to go fast and he's gotten into a little bit of trouble for it. In December of 2007 in France and just before the Australian Grand Prix in 2010, he was ticketed for speeding. If you've ever seen the collection of cars that he owns, he definitely owns cars that are able to perform. We've all felt the itch at some point to hit that gas pedal a little bit extra. Let's face it—he loves to go fast, and he loves to do it as often as possible. He's the type of person that drives by the motto "drive it like you stole it." He may have gotten in trouble, but he has plenty of money to pay the fine.

3 Always A Contender

One of the qualities that all great champions have in common is that there's always a chance that they're going to win. Champions always put themselves in a position to be in the thick of things, and Lewis Hamilton is no different. He's won a leg of every race that he's qualified for and raced in. There's always a chance that he's going to win every time he gets behind the wheel. It's one of the things that make him so dangerous to other drivers. He's a great racer, has no fear, is talented, and is always a contender to take the checkered flag.

2 2nd Most Wins Of All Time

In sports, no matter if it's basketball, football, or racing, the greats are always judged by the number of wins they can rack up over the course of their career. Lewis Hamilton has done that. He's 2nd of all time in Grand Prix wins with 54. He only trails the great Michael Schumacher. He's only 33 years old, and he continues to compete and perform at the highest of levels. There's no telling where that number will be once he finally decides to hang up the helmet. Even if he were to retire tomorrow, he'd still go down as one of the greatest Formula One racers to ever get in a car.

1 BMW's Big Mistake

There was a chance that Hamilton would've debuted in Formula One in 2004. After he had won the Formula 3 Bahrain Super Prix, the Williams team wanted to sign him to a contract, but there was a problem. BMW was the engine supplier for the team, and they refused to support him in his career. It's a huge wonder what their reasoning was behind that, but I bet they regret that today. They could've been a part of a career that'll go down in history as one of the greatest. Hamilton is a trailblazing racer who's done incredible things for the sport of Formula One Racing.