DEMOLITION
Rivals blown away as Lewis wraps up the title in style
After surpassing Michael Schumacher’s record number of race wins last month, the Brit has now joined the Ferrari great on seven world titles.
And yesterday he cemented his place in the pantheon of all- time Formula One greats with a crushing performance that has become a staple of his glittering career.
It was truly the drive of a world champion as Hamilton won in emphatic fashion, finishing a mighty 31.6 seconds clear of his nearest rival, Sergio Perez, having started sixth on the grid.
More devastating still was his demolition of Mercedes team- mate Valtteri Bottas, who was the only man who could have prevented Hamilton from wrapping up the title in Turkey.
Bottas, who lost control of his Mercedes three times, was lapped by his triumphant rival with a dozen laps to go to cap off a miserable afternoon for the spinning Finn.
Indeed, Hamilton delivered his best display of the season to emulate Schumacher’s all- time title haul with three races remaining. When the German claimed his seventh world title at the Belgian GP in 2004, it seemed impossible that his record would be beaten.
But 16 years later, Hamilton has proved the critics wrong by winning his sixth world title in a dominant seven years.
And few can deny the superstar from Stevenage is one of Britain’s all- time sporting greats with this latest triumph.
Not only does he stand level with Schumacher but he also has more wins ( 94), more pole positions ( 97) and more podiums ( 163) than any other driver. The question now is just how much daylight the 35- year- old can put between himself and his idol.
The future beyond this season remains uncertain for Hamilton, with the £ 35m- ayear Mercedes star out of contract at the end of the year.
There are three races left before the 2020 season is wrapped up on December 13.
But the all- conquering Silver Arrows would be forgiven for handing their superstar driver a blank cheque following his latest heroics.
Even his fiercest rival, Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel, was left in awe after yesterday’s wet- weather masterclass.
“If we’re honest, it wasn’t his race to win and he still won it,” admitted the German driver.
Hamilton was congratulated after parking up by second- placed Perez and Vettel, who completed the podium in a race full of spins and changes of lead.
The victory came after he started in sixth place and then delivered a drive of skill and tyre management.
Racing Point’s Lance Stroll led from team- mate Perez for much of the race. But the Canadian’s afternoon began to unravel in the final third.
Stroll’s intermediate tyres were shot and after defying the pit wall’s decision to stop for new rubber, he eventually surrendered his lead on lap 37 and he ended up in ninth.
By the time of Stroll’s stop, Hamilton was third. He had moved into that position as Vettel took on new tyres and Alexander Albon spun in his Red Bull.
Now Hamilton was in contention to win and achieve the world title in the perfect style.
He swooped at the 12th bend on the outside of Perez to go in front – and the rest was a glorious progression into the pages of Formula One history.