© LAT Images for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd
After equalling Michael Schumacher’s most Formula 1 career wins record, his son Mick gifted Lewis Hamilton one of Michael’s racing helmets.
Hamilton’s win at the Eifel Grand Prix marked his 91st career win, equal to Michael Schumacher’s most career wins record. In an emotional moment, Michael’s son Mick gifted Lewis with his father’s racing helmet. The Briton was left (almost) speechless.
“I’m honoured, I don’t even know what to say,” said Hamilton.
“When you grow up watching someone and you generally idolise them, really just in terms of the quality of the driver they are, but what they’re able to continuously do year on year, race on race and week on week with their team.
“Just seeing his dominance for so long, I don’t think anyone, and especially me, didn’t imagine that I’d be anywhere near Michael in terms of records.
“So it’s an incredible honour, and it’s going to take some time to get used to it.”
In the buildup to this momentous moment, Hamilton refused to acknowledge the significance of the accomplishment, but after the race he could finally let it all sink in.
“Honestly, as I came into the pit lane, that’s when I realised that I’d equalled. I hadn’t even computed it once I crossed the line, so I couldn’t have done it without this incredible team.
“Everyone, continuing to push behind me, and given it their everything. So a very big thank you and huge, huge respect.”
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The Briton then turned his attention to the race itself.
“We had a good start, going up alongside Valtteri, and we both understeered at the first corner so I tried obviously to give him as much room as possible.
“Then he was in my blind spot, so I didn’t know where he was after that. I moved as wide to the outside he came back, he did an amazing job.
“I remember coming out of that corner thinking, ‘good on you man. I’m impressed, that was good.'”
“I just had to make sure that I tried to hang on to him for as long as possible.
“I managed to look after my tyres really well, where I could see he was graining his front tyre, so I knew the next couple of laps was the time for me to push, and then he had the lock up.
“But it was not an easy race at all. The Red Bulls are so fast. Max drove extremely well. I think the one place and chance he had was at the restart, but I managed to pull away, pull a nice gap.
“But you can see their pace at the end, we’ve got a serious fight on our hands,” concluded the six-time champion.
