Prime Minister Boris Johnson joined a chorus of praise from the sporting world for Formula One star Lewis Hamilton on Sunday after he won the Turkish Grand Prix and claimed a historic record-equalling seventh world championship.
Hamilton produced the drive of drives in a compelling rain-hit Istanbul race to draw level with Michael Schumacher’s all-time championship haul, 16 years after the great German set a record many thought would stand the test of time.
But Hamilton, from a Stevenage council estate, has re-written the Formula One record books and, in the process, staked his claim to be considered among the greatest British sportsmen who have ever lived.
Alongside his record-equalling seventh title, Hamilton has more wins (94), more poles (97) and more podiums (163) than any driver who has gone before him.
The driver became emotional following his incredible feat and spent several moments sitting in his car before he stepped out of it, removed his helmet and wiped tears from his eyes.
‘I didn’t want the visor to come up and people to see the tears because I always would say you will never see me cry. I have seen other drivers cry in the past, and I was like, I am never going to do that, but it was too much,’ he said after the race.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Hamilton had ‘made us all so proud’, while former England footballer Rio Ferdinand said the Briton was ‘the greatest sportsman this country has ever produced – no doubts.’
Hamilton’s incredible feat added to the growing clamour for him to be given a knighthood after fellow sporting Britons Sir Andy Murray, Sir Mo Farah and Sir Alastair Cook were given the honour following their respective achievements.
Lord Hain, the former cabinet minister, will on Monday send a second letter to Mr Johnson calling for Hamilton to be given the honour. He was awarded an MBE 12 years ago.
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Lewis Hamilton was unable to hold back his emotions after bursting into tears upon winning the Turkish Grand Prix and claiming an historic seventh world championship
Hamilton produced the drive of drives in a compelling rain-hit Istanbul race to draw level with Michael Schumacher’s all-time championship haul, 16 years after the great German set a record many thought would stand the test of time
But Hamilton, from a Stevenage council estate, has re-written the Formula One record books and, in the process, staked his claim to be considered among the greatest British sportsmen who have ever lived
Hamilton, from a Stevenage council estate, has re-written the Formula One record books and, in the process, staked his claim to be considered among the greatest British sportsmen who have ever lived
Asked about the prospect of a knighthood on Sunday, Hamilton said: ‘When I think about that honour, I think about people like my grandad who served in the war, Captain Tom, who waited 100 years for it, and the unsung heroes working in hospitals.
Reflecting on the enormity of his achievement with three rounds of this Covid-disturbed season remaining, Hamilton sat in his black Mercedes machine with his head buried in his hands.
Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel was the first to go over to congratulate him. ‘You are the best of our generation’, the German told his one-time rival.
After several minutes strapped in his car, Hamilton managed to compose himself, before removing his helmet and standing on top of the Mercedes that powered him to his sixth title in seven spectacular years.
‘Very rarely do I lose control of my emotions but I remember those last few laps and I was just telling myself to keep it together,’ said the Briton, who crossed the line a staggering 31.6 seconds clear of Sergio Perez. Vettel completed the podium positions.
‘But I could feel it getting closer and knowing that if I finish where I finish now I will win this championship. All these emotions were running through me and I was trying to stop it.
‘I was thinking about my whole career, when I was five and I drove my first kart to winning my first British championship, and driving home singing We Are The Champions, and then dreaming of being here, and there it is, right there, just minutes away, and that was a lot to take in.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson joined a chorus of praise from the sporting world for Lewis Hamilton on Sunday after he won the Turkish Grand Prix and claimed a historic record-equalling seventh world championship
The British driver held his winner’s trophy aloft after he stepped on to the podium following Sunday’s mesmermising race
Alongside his record-equalling seventh title, Hamilton has more wins (94), more poles (97) and more podiums (163) than any driver who has gone before him
Hamilton produced the drive of drives in a compelling rain-hit Istanbul race to draw level with Michael Schumacher’s all-time championship haul, 16 years after the great German set a record many thought would stand the test of time
But Hamilton, from a Stevenage council estate, has re-written the Formula One record books and, in the process, staked his claim to be considered among the greatest British sportsmen who have ever lived
Hamilton celebrated on the podium with Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff after his stunning race and championship victory
Mercedes team principle Toto Wolff (left) shares a word of congratulations with Hamilton following a fine race from the Brit
The confetti falls on Sergio Perez (right), Hamilton (centre) and Vettel (back, in red) to celebrate Hamilton’s win in Turkey
The 35-year-old Brit pulls close to the pit wall to celebrate the chequered flag with his engineers after making history
‘When I came across the line it really hit me and I just burst into tears. I couldn’t get out of the car because I couldn’t believe what had happened.
‘I didn’t want the visor to come up and people to see the tears because I always would say you will never see me cry. I have seen other drivers cry in the past, and I was like, I am never going to do that, but it was too much.’
Hamilton paid tribute to his father, Anthony, who worked multiple jobs to fund his son’s path to stardom.
‘I couldn’t have done it without the great man behind me, my dad,’ the 35-year-old added.
‘On the days I didn’t think I was good enough, or wasn’t going to do well enough, he stood me up and kept me going.
Hamilton struggles to hold back the tears after equalling Michael Schumacher’s record of seven world titles
Hamilton is now the most successful driver in Formula One history. He has more wins than Michael Schumacher (the pair pictured in 2012) and has surpassed his win record
‘I was thinking of him, my mum, my step-mum Linda, my brother. They have all stood by me through thick and thin.’
Hamilton has become a leading voice in the fight for equality and greater diversity. He added: ‘It is no secret that I have walked this sport alone as the only person of colour here.
‘When I was younger I didn’t have anybody in the sport that looked like me so it was easy to think it is not possible.
‘But hopefully this sends a message to the kids that are watching that it doesn’t matter where you come from or your background, but what is important is to dream big.
‘You can create your own path and that is what I have been able to do, and it has been so tough. Tough doesn’t even describe how hard it has been.’
Valtteri Bottas, the only man who could stop Hamilton from winning the title, spun six times before finishing a lap down in 14th. Max Verstappen, the obvious heir to Hamilton’s throne, also slipped off the track on multiple occasions. Pictured: The pair embrace after the race
Hamilton paid tribute to his father, Anthony, who worked multiple jobs to fund his son’s path to stardom. ‘I couldn’t have done it without the great man behind me, my dad,’ the 35-year-old added. Pictured: The pair embracing after the Portuguese Grand Prix in October
After Sunday’s victory, Hamilton celebrated on the podium alongside fellow drivers Sebastian Vettel and Sergio Perez. Hamilton threw his trophy into the air before spraying champagne
Hamilton was visibly tearful after he climbed out of his car and paid tribute to his team and fans
Ferrari rival Sebastian Vettel was one of the first people to congratulate Hamilton after his incredible victory. The German leaned in to the driver’s cockpit to speak to him before he had climbed out of his car
After the race, Hamilton posed with his dog Rosco and members of his Mercedes team alongside his incredible car
Prime Minister Boris Johnson was quick to hail Hamilton’s success, saying he had done Britain proud.
He tweeted: ‘An impressive victory – well done @LewisHamilton! You have made us all so proud.’
Former England captain Rio Ferdinand, said: ‘Lewis is the greatest sportsman this country has ever produced – no doubts. And he still has more chapters to come.’
In a follow-up tweet, Ferdinand posted a picture of the pair together and wrote ‘And he still has more chapters to come!’
Ex-England forward and Match of the Day host Gary Lineker tweeted: ‘Congratulations to Lew Hamilton on equalling Michael Schumacher’s 7 world titles. What an achievement. Has to be right up there alongside our greatest ever sportspeople. Stunning’.
Nico Rosberg, Hamilton’s only team-mate ever to have beaten him to the title, in 2016, said: ‘Seven-time world champion – that’s insane. Massively deserved. Surely one of the greatest achievements in the history of sport. Congratulations Lewis.’
Hamilton dedicated his incredible seven championship titles to his ‘incredible’ family and fans who ‘supported me along the way’
Asked about the prospect of a knighthood, Hamilton said: ‘When I think about that honour, I think about people like my grandad who served in the war, Captain Tom, who waited 100 years for it, and the unsung heroes working in hospitals.
‘I haven’t saved anybody. I am a very proud Brit and it is an honour to represent the country, hear the anthem playing and see the flag flying above me.’
This was not Hamilton’s race to win. But while those around him lost their cool, Hamilton motored from fifth to first in a matter of pivotal laps to take control of the race.
Valtteri Bottas, the only man who could stop Hamilton from winning the title, spun six times before finishing a lap down in 14th.
Max Verstappen, the obvious heir to Hamilton’s throne, also slipped off the track on multiple occasions.
But Hamilton was serene, delivering 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.
Hamilton won his maiden title that year in Brazil. Little did he know then, that six further titles would follow. So, how will he celebrate?
‘I am going to go home tonight and probably just watch the race,’ he said. ‘I usually have a minestrone soup and I will definitely have a bottle of wine.’
Also among the cascade of tributes to Hamilton was praise from Formula One’s official Twitter account.
Meanwhile, the Mercedes team were blown away by the impressive exploits of their star driver.
After tweeting they were ‘speechless’ as Hamilton took the chequered flag in style, they added: ‘WHAT A WAY TO DO IT, MATE. WHAT A WAY TO WIN YOUR SEVENTH WORLD TITLE!’.
Other members of the motorsport community swiftly offered congratulatory words.
Dario Franchitti, a four-time IndyCar Series champion and three-time Indy 500 winner, saluted the winning performance in Istanbul as a ‘masterclass’, while Dutch racing driver Giedo Van Der Garde posted a picture of himself on the podium alongside a youthful Hamilton and praised the Briton’s self-belief.
‘A masterclass today from @LewisHamilton to win his seventh World championship. So so impressive,’ tweeted Franchitti.
Van Der Garde wrote: ‘Who would’ve thought that kid would go on to win 7 World Championships. I guess you did. Congratulations champ, you wrote history again today. @LewisHamilton’.
Hamilton started his illustrious career in go-karts, with his racing financed by his father Anthony, who worked multiple jobs to afford it. Pictured: Hamilton on his way to victory in the British Cadet Championships in 1996
Hamilton had a very successful karting career, helped in part by his connection with McLaren, who he went on to race for between 2007 and 2012, winning his maiden F1 title in 2008. Pictured: A young Hamilton celebrates victory at the Buckmore Park kart circuit in 1996 alongside the then McLaren boss Ron Dennis (left) and formula one driver David Coulthard
French driver Romain Grosjean, who retired from the race on lap 52, had expected Schumacher’s record to stand the test of time.
He wrote: ‘Congrats @LewisHamilton Didn’t think Michael record was ever going to be equalize. Very impressive Congrats @MercedesAMGF1 for the incredible work also.’
England’s football team were short but sweet in their praise for the Stevenage-born driver, simply writing: ‘Congratulations, Lewis!’ followed by a clapping emoji.
However, not everyone in the football community was as complimentary.
Former Republic of Ireland striker Stephen Elliott dismissed suggestions Hamilton is Britain’s greatest sportsman as ‘ludicrous’ in a tweet questioning the worthiness of Formula One.
‘Maybe an unpopular opinion and I may be in the minority but some people claiming Lewis Hamilton as the greatest British sportsman ever is ludicrous. He drives a car around in circles. Ok, he seems to be the best at it but still!!! £formula1,’ wrote the well-travelled former Sunderland and Wolves player.
On a more positive note, there was praise from the political world.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson was quick to hail Hamilton’s success, saying he had done Britain proud.
He tweeted: ‘An impressive victory – well done @LewisHamilton! You have made us all so proud.’
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace hailed Hamilton’s feat as a ‘world beating achievement’, while Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden offered a similar sentiment.
‘Congratulations to Lewis Hamilton a world beating achievement. The UK should be very proud of his achievements and British Motorsport,’ wrote Wallace.
Dowden posted: ‘Huge congratulations to @LewisHamilton 7 times @F1 World Champion and won in style £TurkishGP One of our greatest sports stars.’
Meanwhile, the man himself dedicated his achievements to his fans, family and friends in a series of tweets.
‘7X Formula 1 World Champion. Wow. To everyone that has supported me along the way, this is for you,’ posted Hamilton.
‘To my incredible family, where do I even start? I am eternally grateful for your unconditional love, sacrifices and support to my closest friends that have made this challenging season more bearable by continuously lifting my spirits, thank you, this year would have been so much harder without you.
‘To every rival that has pushed me to grow and become better, thank you, I share this with you too…’
Hamilton also received online praise from his Mercedes team, fellow drivers and Conservative cabinet ministers Ben Wallace and Oliver Dowden
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