“Doesn’t seem real” to be a win from Schumacher’s F1 record – Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton says it is hard to believe that he is just one victory away from equalling Michael Schumacher’s all-time record for most Formula 1 wins.

The Mercedes driver claimed the 90th win of his career in Sunday’s Tuscan Grand Prix at Mugello and victory at the next round of the world championship in Sochi would move Hamilton level with Schumacher’s tally, which has stood unrivalled since 2006.

Hamilton holds a 55-point advantage over Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas after winning six of the opening nine races of the 2020 season and remains on course to also match Schumacher’s record of seven drivers’ world titles this year.

“It just doesn’t seem real,” said Hamilton, who has claimed 69 wins since making his switch from McLaren to Mercedes in 2013.

“Obviously it’s ultimately a privilege to be in a position and have such a great team and a car to be able to deliver weekend in, weekend out.

“I just feel forever grateful to the people that continue to work hard, I’m just a link in the chain.

“Getting the wins is not easy when you have a great driver in Valtteri pushing you to the limit, weekend in, weekend out. I never thought that I would be here, that’s for sure.

Should Hamilton reach the milestone, he will have done so in a shorter timeframe than Schumacher from their first to their most recent grand prix win (13 years for Hamilton, 14 years for Schumacher).

However, in terms of races during that period, Schumacher achieved his 91th F1 win in his 246th start, unlike Hamilton who would do it in his 260th.