Lewis Hamilton wins 7th title — equalling Michael Schumacher

Lewis Hamilton clinched a recordequaling seventh Formula One title after winning a wet and gloomy Turkish Grand Prix for a recordextending 94th victory on Sunday. Hamilton now stands alongside F1 great Michael Schumacher on seven titles, having replaced the German driver at Mercedes in 2013. Hamilton only needed to finish ahead of his teammate Valtteri Bottas to seal his sixth title for Mercedes, and Bottas placed a lowly 14th after making a poor start. Hamilton’s other title was with McLaren in 2008.

He seemed to be in tears when he spoke on the team radio moments after crossing the line in Istanbul. “That’s for all the kids out there who dream the impossible,” Hamilton said. “You can do it.” Then, speaking a short time later, he wiped away tears.

“I’m definitely a bit lost for words,” Hamilton said, thanking his family. “I dreamed of this as a kid. This is way, way beyond our dreams.”

The British driver started from sixth place but took advantage of errors and poor tire strategies from other teams to win a fourth straight race and 10th of another hugely dominant season.

“I know I often I say it is beyond wildest dreams but my whole life secretly I have dreamt as high as this,” said Hamilton.

“It felt so far-fetched. I r e memb e r watching

Michael win those world championships. To get one or two or even three is so hard.

“Seven is unimaginable. There is no end to what we can do together, me and this team.”

Hamilton placed about 30 seconds ahead of Racing Point’s Sergio Perez and Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel, who overtook teammate Charles Leclerc for his first podium of a difficult season. It was also Perez’s first podium of the campaign, while teammate Lance Stroll finished only ninth despite leading from pole position for much of the 58-lap race.