Lewis Hamilton smashed through Michael Schumacher’s all-time Formula 1 win record with a performance that encapsulated the status he has earned himself over the past 14 years.
Hamilton crossed the line at the end of the Portuguese Grand Prix more than 25 seconds clear of Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas, the only man with the same awesome equipment the Briton enjoys, and still going away.
Hamilton had spent the previous hour and a half demonstrating exactly why he now finds himself in a position to move F1’s most impressive records into a realm never previously thought possible.
And after he did so, his rivals paid generous tribute to a man they know full well has earned every bit of his success.
“I am happy for him,” said Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel, a four-time champion and winner of 53 grands prix. “He deserves every victory he had. I am sure he will get 100. I don’t think you can praise him enough.”
Bottas, somewhat befuddled by Hamilton’s superiority on the day, described it simply as “an amazing achievement”. “Hats off,” the Finn said. “Respect.”
Unusually, Hamilton struggled more than Bottas, who passed him halfway around the first lap after the world champion almost lost his car in Turn Six.
If it was a surprise to see Bottas pass Hamilton in slippery conditions, Hamilton was not concerned. “I was a little cautious through Turn Seven and I generally let Valtteri by and didn’t defend into Eight.
He seemed to have more grip than me at that moment. I didn’t understand why but I was sure at some stage I would get there. I knew it was a long, long race,” said Hamilton.
McLaren’s Carlos Sainz also slipped by - and then remarkably proceeded to pass Bottas for the lead on lap two.
It had been a stirring performance by Sainz, but it was only ever going to be a fleeting one, and soon, their tyres warmer now, the Mercedes were past, Bottas in the lead, Hamilton stalking him a couple of seconds behind. (bbcsport)