Winner and champion in the face of adversity, Briton Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) had an eventful race on Sunday to win the Turkish F1 Grand Prix and equal the record of seven world titles held by German Michael Schumacher. This seventh title, the first and only black driver in the premier class of motorsport, from a modest background, dedicated him “to children for whom it is important to see this». «Dream the impossible, chase that dream, never doubt yourself”He urged after crossing the finish line.
Sixth on the grid on a circuit that has been difficult for his team all weekend, finishing on tires worn to the rope, Hamilton drove brilliantly. “Of all my races, this is one of the ones I’m most proud of», He confided on the podium. When he got out of the car, “voiceless“, With tears in his eyes, the now seven-time world champion thanked his team”who gives (him) these means and these opportunities” and which “the course is monumental“, His fans, the”Team LH“, and his family.
Last rival of the British champion, his teammate Valtteri Bottas, who on Thursday promised to do his best to “retarder»His coronation did not keep his word. After having chained the driving errors on a wet track, the Finn is fourteenth in one lap and out of the points. With three races still to go and a maximum of 26 points to be taken in each (78 in all), the British champion, with his 110 lengths lead, can no longer be reached at the top of the drivers’ standings.
After 2008 with McLaren and 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2019 with Mercedes, Hamilton, 35, is therefore assured of the title in 2020 and equaled a new record for legend Schumacher, after having beaten that of victories (94 against 91) , podiums (163 against 155) and pole positions (97 against 68).
Seventh title in a row for Mercedes
For Mercedes, this is the seventh driver’s crown in a row since 2014, which is added to the seventh constructor topped consecutively in the previous round. This further consolidates the Silver Arrows in their position as the most rewarded team in F1 history over a given period. Better than Ferrari in the Schumacher years (five drivers ‘titles and six constructors’ titles between 1999 and 2004).
For the Turkish Grand Prix, at the end of a race with twists and turns, punctuated by spins and track excursions, Hamilton is accompanied on the podium by the Mexican Sergio Pérez (Racing Point), and the German Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari), who gets on the box for the first time in a complicated 2020 season.
Canadian poleman Lance Stroll, who started in this position for the first time at the age of 22, collapsed after lap 35 and finished ninth. The French Esteban Ocon (Renault) and Pierre Gasly (AlphaTauri) are eleventh and thirteenth. Romain Grosjean (Haas) retired.
AFP
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