LEW’S A SCHU IN
Hammy’s one step from seven
IT WAS another history- making triumph for Lewis Hamilton as he put himself within touching distance of a record- equalling seventh world title.
Seven days after passing Michael Schumacher’s record of 91 race victories, the Brit delivered another crushing performance to edge closer to matching the German great’s tally of world titles.
And yesterday’s win in Imola, a circuit where his childhood hero Ayrton Senna tragically died 26 years ago, also bagged Mercedes their seventh consecutive constructors’ championship.
The Silver Arrows have now overseen the greatest period of dominance by one team in F1 – and their superstar driver is also on the brink of extending his period of supremacy.
Hamilton, who hailed his victory by drinking Champagne from Daniel Ricciardo’s race shoe, can match Schumacher’s record of seven world titles by winning the Turkish Grand
Prix a week on Sunday.
The Briton is 85 points clear of f team- mate Valtteri ri Bottas with four races aces remaining, meaning ng the Finn must outscore Hamilton by eight points in Istanbul to delay the coronation.
“It was an exhausting race,” said Hamilton “It is very overwhelming right now.
“I look at my crew and I know all the men and women here and back in the factory and they’re the unsung heroes.
“They are the ones that have continued to graft away, never given up. People watching think we are used to it but it always feels like the first because of the spirit of this team.
“We have a great leader in our team and a big, big thank you to Mercedes.
“While we have great performances it is not easy to continue to deliver weekend in and out. The guys are so precise in how they take t the car apart and put p it together agai again weekend after we weekend.
“Seven times champs – something to tell my grandchildren.” He didn’t have it all his own way yes yesterday, though, as h he dropped to third at the start after Bull’s Max Verstappen showed his pace with a mighty start off the line.
Hamilton’s poor opening saw him adopt a different strategy to Bottas and Verstappen, and ultimately helped him assume control of the race thanks to a number of stunning laps on ageing rubber.
He stopped 11 laps later than Bottas and emerged in the lead, with the Virtual Safety Car – deployed when Esteban Ocon broke down in his Renault – helping his cause. Verstappen’s retirement late on, after mechanical failure sent him spinning out, led to another safety car with a dozen laps to go.
But Hamilton kept his cool at the restart to hold on and secure a record- extending 93rd career victory.
Bottas completed a memorable one- two for F1’ s allconquering team.
It was the perfect finale as Hamilton and Co popped the Champagne to mark yet another record.