Lewis Hamilton wins Turkish Grand Prix to clinch seventh Formula One title

15 November 2020, 12:01 | Updated: 15 November 2020, 14:52

Lewis Hamilton has won the Turkish Grand Prix to clinch his seventh Formula One title
Lewis Hamilton has won the Turkish Grand Prix to clinch his seventh Formula One title. Picture: PA
Nick Hardinges

By Nick Hardinges

Lewis Hamilton has won the Turkish Grand Prix to clinch his seventh Formula One title and equal Michael Schumacher's record.

The British motoring legend has been crowned world champion for a record-equalling seventh time after he won a dramatic Turkish Grand Prix on Sunday.

Hamilton delivered one of his best displays of the season to take the podium for the 10th time this year and replicate German racing star Schumacher's all-time haul with three rounds to spare.

The Brit was running in fifth for much of the race but used all of his experience to ensure his intermediate tyres lasted for 50 of the 58 laps.

He eventually took the chequered flag a staggering 31.6 seconds clear of Sergio Perez, with Sebastian Vettel third and Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc fourth.

Boris Johnson later offered his congratulations to the driver, writing on Twitter: "An impressive victory - well done @LewisHamilton! You have made us all so proud."

Read more: Hamilton breaks all-time F1 win record at Portuguese Grand Prix

Read more: Young go-karter sent inspiring message by Lewis Hamilton

What next for Lewis Hamilton after seventh world title?

Valtteri Bottas, the only man who could have prevented Hamilton from wrapping up the title here, endured a miserable afternoon, spinning twice and finishing 14th. Indeed, Hamilton put a lap on his crestfallen team-mate with a dozen laps to go.

Hamilton's remarkable performance was befitting of a driver who can now claim to be the most decorated the sport has ever seen.

Schumacher won his seventh title at the Belgian Grand Prix in 2004. It was a record many thought would stand the test of time.

But 5,922 days later, Hamilton, the man who grew up on a Stevenage council estate, has now matched the great German with his sixth championship in seven stunning years. Hamilton also has more wins (94), more poles (97) and more podiums (163) than any driver who has gone before.

Read more: Hamilton takes knee ahead of Austria Grand Prix but six drivers refuse

Read more: Harry meets Lewis Hamilton as Meghan visits London school

Lewis Hamilton finished more than 31 seconds faster than any of his opponents
Lewis Hamilton finished more than 31 seconds faster than any of his opponents. Picture: PA

After defying the odds to take pole position here, Racing Point's Lance Stroll led from team-mate Sergio Perez for much of the race.

But the Canadian's afternoon began to unravel in the final third. Stroll's intermediate tyres were shot and after defying the pit wall's decision to stop for new rubber he eventually surrendered his lead on lap 37. He would finish ninth.

On the same lap as Stroll's stop, Hamilton - now promoted to third after Sebastian Vettel took on new tyres and Alexander Albon spun in his Red Bull - was suddenly in contention to win.

As he approached the 12th bend, Hamilton swooped round the outside of Perez to take the lead.

The British racing driver was visually emotional after clinching the chequered flag on Sunday
The British racing driver was visually emotional after clinching the chequered flag on Sunday. Picture: PA

From there, the 35-year-old was in a class of one. On older tyres, he lapped the 3.3 miles of recently relayed asphalt at the Istanbul Park circuit consistently faster than anybody else.

It was a mesmerising performance that drew parallels with one of his finest afternoons behind the wheel of a Formula One machine, at Silverstone in 2008, when he romped to victory in similarly testing conditions.

He would go on to win his maiden title that year in Brazil. In a dozen years, it is a feat he has managed to achieve on six additional occasions and must now be considered among the greatest British sportspersons of all time.

Max Verstappen is the obvious heir to Hamilton's throne, but where the Englishman rarely put a foot wrong on Sunday, the Red Bull man blew his chance of winning when he spun while battling Perez for second. He also had to stop for new tyres three times before crossing the line in sixth.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

The

Thousands raised after family die in motorway crash - daughter, 8, is only survivor

Kate Shemirani, conspiracy theorist, anti-vaxxer and former nurse

Daughter of notorious conspiracy theorist died of cancer after 'falling for mother's theories', her brothers say

Iran has launched an attack on a US military base.

Trump calls for 'peace & harmony' in the Middle East as he brands Iran's attack on US air base a 'very weak response'

Emma Raducanu during a practice session during Eastbourne Open, where she is currently competing

Raducanu says Wimbledon 'did amazing job' after stalker tried to buy match tickets

Large fire engulfs the abandoned Hotspur Press mill building near Oxford Road in Central Manchester. Credit Milo Chandler/Alamy Live News

Major fire in Manchester city centre causes serious disruption

Notorious criminal John 'Goldfinger' Palmer was murdered at his home in Brentwood in Essex in 2015. His killer has never been found

Who killed John 'Goldfinger' Palmer? Police make fresh appeal 10 years after his death

An RAF flight has left Israel carrying 63 UK nationals and their dependents, as the UK government begins evacuating British citizens from the country amid ongoing attacks between Iran and Israel.

First RAF flight evacuates 63 Briton from Israel as Lammy confirms one UK national injured in Iran missile attacks

Moment Israel blows up the front gate of Iran's notorious Evin prison

Israel blow's gates of Iran's notorious Evin Prison where many political prisoners are held

The DLR could be heading further south east of the Thames - not just the River Lea

Every railway line extension in London: Sadiq Khan's Thamesmead DLR ambition gets to next stage

Iranian protesters chant slogans and one holds a poster with a vampire-like illustration of US President Donald Trump in Revolution Square to protest US attacks on nuclear sites in Iran

LIVE: Trump breaks silence as Iran launches strike on US military base in Qatar

British Airways had stopped some flights to the Middle East over the weekend

UK flights restored to Dubai and Qatar

NATO says alliance's new defence investment plan will be 5% of GDP to ensure security and defence.

NATO to hike defence spending to 5% of GDP in major security push as chief warns Iran on developing nuclear weapon

Former Sky News presenter Dermot Murnaghan has announced his diagnosis with stage four prostate cancer.

Veteran news presenter Dermot Murnaghan diagnosed with ‘advanced’ stage 4 prostate cancer

Dozens of bodies have been recovered from the Balearic Islands, including Majorca, this year.

Holiday horror as five bodies with shackled hands and feet wash up on beach at tourist hotspot

Police speak to a person taking part in a demonstration at Trafalgar Square in London in support of Palestine Action.

Palestine Action clashes with police after government 'bans' them under anti-terror laws

Exclusive
Ellis' killer is still at large one year after his murder.

'So broken and lost' : Mum desperate for answers over son's gun murder as killer remains at large