Hamilton begins run at records

LONDON Lewis Hamilton is hoping to equal Michael Schumacher’s record seven Formula One championships in the season that starts in Austria this weekend after being delayed since March by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Here are some milestones the Mercedes driver and his team can reach:

7

Titles. A record held by Ferrari great Schumacher. Also successive constructors’ titles. Mercedes have won the last six, a record shared with Ferrari.

8

Schumacher holds the record of eight wins at the same grand prix. Hamilton is on seven for Canada, which remains uncertain for this year, and Hungary — third race of the revised season.

Also, Grand Slams (pole, led every lap and fastest lap). Hamilton needs two more to equal late compatriot Jim Clark’s all-time record of eight.

11

Longest gap between first and last championships. Hamilton took this record last year (2008-19) from Schumacher (19942004).

13

Most races won in a single season, a record Schumacher shares with Sebastian Vettel. Hamilton’s highest tally is 11. That looks unlikely in this coronavirus-affected year.

19

Grands Prix won after leading every lap. Hamilton shares the record with Ayrton Senna.

33

Consecutive points finishes. An ongoing record held by Hamilton, whose last failure to score was in Austria in 2018.

65

Front row lockouts. Ferrari holds this one but Mercedes is on 64.

88

Pole positions. A record held by Hamilton, whose 88th was in Abu Dhabi last November.

91

Race wins, a record held by Schumacher. Hamilton starts the campaign with 84 wins to his credit. He has averaged 10 wins a season for the past six years.