Lewis Hamilton equals Schumacher’s world championship title record

Lewis Hamilton claimed his seventh Formula One World Championship title on Sunday after winning the Turkish Grand Prix.

It was Hamilton’s 94th career F1 victory. The Briton is now tied with legendary German driver Michael Schumacher after replacing him at Mercedes in 2013.

I went through the whole range of emotions and I was trying to hold on to them,” Hamilton said at the post-race press conference. I thought about my whole career, my conquest of the British karting championship at the age of five, the car ride home with my father as we sang “We Are The Champions” together, dreaming of one day reaching F1. »

It took him a long time to get out of the car after confirming his exploits.

“It hit me really hard and I burst into tears. I couldn’t get out of the car because I couldn’t believe it,” said Hamilton. I didn’t want to raise my visor because people would have seen my tears, and I always said no one would see me cry publicly. I remember seeing drivers crying and thinking, ‘I would never do that. But I couldn’t help myself. »

Hamilton only needed to finish ahead of teammate Valtteri Bottas for his sixth Mercedes title, and Bottas settled for 14th after a poor start.

Hamilton’s other championship was won at McLaren in 2008.

He burst into tears as he spoke to his team on the radio after crossing the finish line in Istanbul.

It’s for all the kids who dream of doing the impossible,” said Hamilton. You can do it. »

Then, during an interview a few minutes later, he could not hold back his tears again.

I’m speechless,” Hamilton said, thanking his family. I dreamed about this when I was young. It’s far beyond my wildest dreams. »

The Briton started from sixth place, but took advantage of driving errors and poor pit-stop strategies to take his fourth straight win – and 10th this season.

I know I often say it’s beyond my wildest dreams, but secretly I’ve always dreamed of doing this,” said the man of the moment. I’ve been waiting for this for so long. I remember watching Michael [Schumacher] win those world championships. Winning one or two or three is so hard. »

“Seven is unbelievable. There is no limit to what my team and I can accomplish,” he said.

The next step for Hamilton is to ratify a new contract, and he suggested talks will begin very soon.

It’s obviously something that needs to happen very soon,” he admitted. I wanted to settle that and get the job done. It’s probably going to be within a few weeks…but we’ll come to an agreement, I’m sure. »

A hard to swallow pill for Stroll

Hamilton crossed the finish line 30 seconds ahead of Racing Point driver Sergio Perez and Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel, who passed teammate Charles Leclerc late in the race to claim his first podium of the season.

I’m surprised to be on the podium, but I’m obviously happy,” said Vettel. It was intense, but a lot of fun. »

It was also Perez’s first podium in 2020, while his Racing Point teammate Lance Stroll, who started from the lead position, finished ninth – even though he led for most of the 58-lap race.

Four-time world champion Vettel was the first to congratulate his arch-rival Hamilton. He crouched down next to the Brit’s Mercedes and shook hands with him, before exchanging a few words with him.

Stroll started from the top position – a career first for the 22-year-old Quebecer – alongside Max Verstappen’s Red Bull on the circuit, visited by F1 for the first time since 2011. The track, which has been resurfaced, has been dubbed an “ice rink” by Hamilton.

Verstappen missed its start, which allowed Hamilton to temporarily move up to third place. The Briton, however, struggled with grip problems and was surprised by Red Bull drivers Alexander Albon and Verstappen. Vettel then made a dramatic climb from 11th to third, and then Bottas spun and found himself at the back of the pack.

Vettel and Hamilton made their first pit stop on lap nine followed by Stroll, Perez and Verstappen three laps later.

At the halfway point Stroll and Perez were at the front of the pack but were losing ground to Hamilton. Stroll made a pit stop on lap 37 and Hamilton used his drag reduction system to surprise Perez one lap later and take the lead.

Stroll’s strategy cost him dearly and he was eventually overtaken by the two Ferrari cars while Bottas had a fourth spin at the back of the field.

“It’s very difficult to understand what happened today and we will have to learn from our mistakes. I had a good start from pole and was able to build up a 10-second cushion before the first stop, which set the stage for an encouraging second run,” said Stroll. But my intermediate tires started to fall apart quickly and I couldn’t get back to my position [at the front of the pack]. »

It was my pole position yesterday, but the points are earned on Sunday,” he added. It was good to lead for so many laps, but it wasn’t enough! It’s a hard pill to swallow, but I’m happy for Checo [Perez]. »

Stroll still earned two points in the standings, his first since his third place finish at the Italian Grand Prix on September 6.

A bitter season for Perez

It was a day to forget for the Finn, who conceded a lap to Hamilton towards the end of the race.

Perez will be replaced by Vettel at the end of the campaign when Racing Point is renamed Aston Martin. That means Perez has no steering wheel for 2021, even though he is in fine form at 30 years of age and just finished on his ninth career podium.

We have to deliver every weekend, and only the result of the last race counts,” said the Mexican. So it’s important to finish the season on a good note, because I don’t control the future. »

Toronto’s Nicholas Latifi was unable to reach the finish in his Williams. “I had a collision with Romain [Grosjean], so we decided to retire,” said a disappointed Latifi.

THE RIDERS WHO HAVE WON THE MOST F1 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN THEIR CAREER :

7 – Michael Schumacher, Germany (1994, 1995, 2000, 2001 2002, 2003, 2004)

7 – Lewis Hamilton, Great Britain (2008, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020)

5 – Juan Manuel Fangio, Argentina (1951, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957)

4 – Alain Prost, France (1985, 1986, 1989, 1993)

4 – Sebastian Vettel, Germany (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013)

3 – Jack Brabham, Australia (1959, 1960, 1966)

3 – Jackie Stewart, Great Britain (1969, 1971, 1973)

3 – Niki Lauda, Austria (1975, 1977, 1984)

3 – Nelson Piquet, Brazil (1981, 1983, 1987)

3 – Ayrton Senna, Brazil (1988, 1990, 1991)

1 – Jacques Villeneuve, Canada (1997)

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