Hamilton usurps Schumacher with record 92nd F1 win in Portugal

AP

Lewis Hamilton became Formula One’s record all-time race winner on Sunday when he claimed his 92nd victory at the Portuguese Grand Prix to pass Michael Schumacher at the top of the list.

His win lifted him one clear of Schumacher’s 14-year-old record of 91 triumphs after a thrilling inaugural F1 race at the Algarve International Circuit.

After a long hug with his father Anthony who, together with stepmother Linda, had witnessed his historic achievement, Hamilton heaped praise on his Mercedes before joining his race engineer Peter “Bono” Bonnington and Bottas on the podium.

“I owe this and so much to all these guys here and the team at the factory,” said Hamilton.

“For their tremendous work, they are always pushing the barrier higher and higher. It is a privilege working with them ... Working with them is inspiring.”

Hamilton fought back after an early scare, when he led but dropped to third after a rain shower, to demonstrate impeccable tire management and flawless judgment as he claimed an eighth win in 12 races this year.

The six-time world champion finished 25.5 seconds clear of his Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen a familiar third.

Hamilton’s triumph added another unprecedented feat to his roster of records. He now has the most wins, a record 97 pole positions, a record 161 podium finishes and a record 45 consecutive points finishes.

The 35-year- old Briton extended his championship lead over Bottas to 77 points.

A seventh world title, which would equal another Schumacher record, now looks all but inevitable with only five races remaining this year. Hamilton said the race had been “tough” and he had suffered a cramp.

“Yes, it’s a very physical sport and I had it in my right calf. I was lifting down the straights and it was painful.”