HIGH-FIVE FOR ALL-TIME GREAT

FROM BACK PAGE home second in a race he had to win.

An emotional Hamilton, 33, equalled the tally set by Argentina’s Juan Manuel Fangio and only needs two more titles to match the record held by Michael Schumacher. The Mercedes driver said: “It is a very strange feeling. To complete this with Fangio having done it with Mercedes is a surreal feeling. I feel humble.

“This is something I dreamed of but never in a million years did I believe I would be standing here with it having happened. Thanks to my Dad, who truly believed we had it above all the other drivers when we were younger.

“I feel like I have performed my best this year so I am very happy how it’s gone. Let me realise I have won this one before I think of going for seven.”