LEWIS HAMILTON took another giant step towards cementing his status as Formula One’s greatest racer of all time by winning his record-breaking 92nd Grand Prix in Portugal.
And with it the reigning world champion moved closer to title No7 and equalling Michael Schumacher’s haul.
Lewis Hamilton waves to the crowd in Portugal as he took another step towards being crowned F1’s GOATCredit: Reuters
The very first win came at the 2007 Canadian Grand Prix, 13 years agoCredit: Action Images – Reuters
Anthony Hamilton was quickly on the scene to congratulate his son’s remarkable achievementCredit: AFP or licensors
Hamilton joined level with the German hero on 91 career race wins last time out at Eifel.
But the pair were not tied out in front for long as Hamilton and his Mercedes team blew away the rest of the field.
He opened up a 16-second lead with ten laps to go and it was a far more routine win than his very first, 13 years ago at the 2007 Canadian GP – a year after Schumacher’s last.
In fact, Hamilton lapped all his opponents up to fifth this afternoon – only Valtteri Bottas, Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc avoided.
And even a spot of cramp in the closing stages did nothing to halt his march to rewriting yet another chapter of F1 history.
The Brit started at the front of the grid at the Algarve International Circuit after pinching pole from team-mate Valtteri Bottas.
But it was Carlos Sainz who enjoyed a blistering start at lights out after capitalising on Verstappen’s lock-up.
The Spaniard then overtook both Mercedes cars to take the lead before Bottas claimed P1.
The Brit got his hands on the trophy and the champagne yet again on a victorious day in PortugalCredit: Reuters
Michael Schumacher won his 91st race at the Chinese GP in 2006 but has now been overtaken at the top of the leaderboardCredit: EPA
Hamilton has come a long way from his days as a young go-karting champ
Hamilton won his 92nd Grand Prix to break Schumacher’s recordCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Hamilton got himself back in front on lap 20 and it was all too easy for the Brit as he breezed past his team-mate.
And from there it was all about the record breaker.
The Mercedes pair opened up a mammoth gap on Verstappen, allowing them both to pit and come back out in first and second.
By the time he claimed the chequered flag after 66 laps of driving, Hamilton was 25.592 seconds clear of Bottas – the biggest winning margin of the season – with Verstappen third and Leclerc fourth.
And just like any proud dad, Anthony Hamilton was on hand to capture the moments – including his son on the podium – on his iPad.
The winner said: “I owe this to the [Mercedes team] here and those back at the factory. It’s been such a privilege to work with them.
“I could only of ever dreamed of where I am today. It’s gonna take some time to sink in. I can’t find the words at the moment.”
Hamilton is now the joint favourite to win the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award alongside Marcus Rashford at 2/1.
Hamilton took a knee before the race as he continues the fight against racism in societyCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Hamilton had to fight off an early challenge from his team-mate and rivals but was well in control once he reclaimed the leadCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The Brit held off the early challenge including from team-mate Valtteri Bottas to race well clearCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The Mercedes crew members were on the fence to cheer their man over the lineCredit: AFP
Sports Personality of the Year – Ladbrokes
Marcus Rashford – 2/1
Lewis Hamilton – 2/1
Tyson Fury – 4/1
Ronnie O’Sullivan – 5/1
Lewis Hamilton by far F1’s top earner on a staggering £42m a year
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
