Lewis Hamilton says he never imagined he would get close to matching Michael Schumacher’s record of wins after taking his 91st career victory at the Eifel Grand Prix.
The Mercedes driver was presented with one of Michael Schumacher’s helmets by the seven-time world champion’s son and current Formula 2 championship leader Mick Schumacher after equalling his father’s record win tally at the Nurburgring.Hamilton said he “didn’t know what to say” having matched a driver he looked up to as a child.
“You grow up watching someone and you generally idolise them in terms of the quality of the driver they are, what they are continuously able to do year on year, race on race, week on week with their team.
“Just seeing his dominance for so long, I don’t think anyone – especially me – imagined that I would be anywhere near Michael in terms of records, so it’s an incredible honour. It’s going to take some time to get used to it.”
Hamilton says the reality of having matched of the great records in Formula 1 didn’t hit him immediately.
“As I came into the pit lane, that was only when I realised that I’d equalled him,” says Hamilton.
“I hadn’t even computed it when I crossed the line. I couldn’t have done it without this incredible team. Everyone continuing to push behind me and giving it their everything. So a big thank you to them and huge, huge respect to Michael.”
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Jere (@jerejj)
11th October 2020, 15:57
The GOAT.
Ince
13th October 2020, 0:36
This argument about Hamilton only winning because he has the most dominant car is only put forward by complete Thickos.
Did not Michael Cheatmacher have the dominant car when he won all those titles with Ferrar?
Did not Vettel have the most dominant Red Bull car when he won his four titles? Did not Jim Clark not have the most dominant Lotus car when he won his titles. As for Fangio he hopped from fastest car to fastest car when he was with Ferrar, Mercedes and Maserati.
So why is it thickos keep saying Hamilton only wins in the fastest car, which is not a true statement anyway. But in any case, what about the past champions who also had the most dominant car.
Seems to me people are either jealous or racist toward Hamilton when they keep insisting his succes is because of his dominant car. Its like saying footballer Messi is only as good as he is because he plays for a great team called Barcelona.
LB (@burden93)
11th October 2020, 16:07
The biggest shame is that Michael wasn’t there to congratulate him. He’s the only other man to know the effort it takes to reach that milestone. Both special drivers that achieved a dominance with their teams that no one else has been able to achieve, both will go down as true legends of the sport
knightameer (@knightameer)
11th October 2020, 16:10
Truly the GOAT..
Esploratore (@esploratore)
11th October 2020, 22:20
Greatest of all times for equalling a win record? Hamilton won 20 races or so before 2014, a clear sign of the impact of mercedes.
Schumacher had a dominant car? In 2001, 2002 and 2004 I presume? Well, he still won 50 + races without, and I’m not saying schumacher had on average a bad car, good drivers generally converge to strong cars with the exception of alonso, just that hamilton is an anomaly when it comes to incredibly strong cars for most of his career, senna, prost, lauda, stewart at least other than those I mentioned weren’t so lucky car-wise and f1 is one of the sports where it has the biggest impact; this goes to anyone saying GOAT just because one equals or even beats a record that is so dependant on the car.
ince
11th October 2020, 16:15
Even if Lewis won 10 titles, I doubt if he would get a Knighthood. you need one good contest as a cricketer or cyclist for that. It has nothing to do with the fact that he is the wrong color.
Rockgod (@rockgod)
11th October 2020, 16:26
Is there any reason Lewis should care about that?
Ajaxn
11th October 2020, 16:31
All in good time, that Sid it won’t be for service so motor sport, but for any work he goes on to do for charity, etc… I wouldn’t expect Hamilton to be gonged before he retires from the sport, nor would he want that accolade before retires from F1.
F1oSaurus (@)
11th October 2020, 17:09
You probably also need to be old. Stewart and Moss were quite old when they got their knighthood.
Keith Campbell (@keithedin)
12th October 2020, 12:03
@f1osaurus Andy Murray and Mo Farrah both received knighthoods while they were still competing. I’m pretty certain Hamilton will get his fairly soon. Maybe after next year when he becomes the all time record holder with 8 world titles.
f12007v (@f1fan-2000)
11th October 2020, 17:14
Few years ago thought it was gonna be Vettel
Rodber
11th October 2020, 17:15
How many of the drivers currently in F1 would also now be chasing Schumacher records if, if, they’d been driving that Mercedes?
macradar (@macradar)
11th October 2020, 17:25
Possibly Ric and Max No one else.
Maybe Charles
Esploratore (@esploratore)
11th October 2020, 22:16
That is a good assessment, I think, there’s a reason why I think hamilton belongs in the top 10 of all times but not certainly in contention for number 1.
Mick
12th October 2020, 0:22
He wouldn’t have gotten any where near Schuey if he didn’t have the most dominant car in F1 history.
ince
12th October 2020, 16:03
This argument about Hamilton only winning because he has the most dominant car is only put forward by complete Thickos.
Did not Michael Cheatmacher have the dominant car when he won all those titles with Ferrar?
DID not Vettel have the most dominant red Bull car when he won his four title? Did not Jim Clark not have the most dominant Lotus car when he won his titles. As for Fangio he hopped from fastest cat to fastest car when he was with Ferrar, Mercedes and Maserati.
So why is it thickos keep saying Hamilton only wins in the fastest car, which is not a true statement anyway. But in any case, what about the past champions who also had the most dominant car.
Seems to me people are either jealous or racist toward Hamilton when they keep insisting his succes is because of his dominant car.