Lewis Hamilton equals Michael Schumacher’s record, wins historic seventh F1 crown

Lewis Hamilton’s historic F1 2020 season continued as he won the Turkish Grand Prix in Istanbul on Sunday to take his tally of wins to 94 in Formula One. However, in the process, Lewis Hamilton created history and won his seventh F1 World Title, equaling the record set by Germany’s legendary Michael Schumacher. Hamilton finished well ahead of his Mercedes team-mate Valterri Bottas, who was the only driver in contention to challenge Hamilton. Racing Point’s Gergio Perez, who was on pole position, secured the second spot while the Ferraris had their best outing this season, with Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc finishing third and fourth respectively.

Thank you so much guys...that's for all the kids out there who dream the impossible. You can do it too man, I believe in you guys,” he whooped over the radio after taking the chequered flag.

Hamilton was congratulated after parking up by second-placed finisher Sergio Perez, for Racing Point in a race full of spins and changes of lead.

Record breaker Hamilton

The victory was the 94th of Hamilton's career, three more than Schumacher managed, and came after he started in sixth place and then delivered a masterclass of skill and tyre management. Bottas, who came home 14th after saying four laps from the end that he wished the race was over already, also offered his congratulations as Hamilton celebrated with his ecstatic teammates.

Mercedes had already won the constructors' championship for a seventh year in a row.

Hamilton had already won in more countries than anyone in the sport's history, and Portugal, hosting a Grand Prix for the first time in 24 years, raised that tally to 24.

The Mercedes driver, yet to extend his contract beyond this season but looking sure to stay, can add to the number next year with Vietnam set to make its debut while the Netherlands returns for the first time since 1985. A race in Saudi Arabia could also feature on the calendar for the first time. Few races have escaped Hamilton's dominance, but South Korea and India did.

Hamilton has won at least one race in every season he has competed in since his debut with McLaren in 2007, averaging 10 a year with Mercedes since the start of the V6 turbo hybrid era in 2014. The first win came in Canada at Montreal's Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on June 10, 2007.