Schumacher win record not on Hamilton’s mind

Mark Scott
Lewis Hamilton Mercedes

Lewis Hamilton Mercedes

Lewis Hamilton has said he is not really thinking about matching Michael Schumacher’s win record with a P1 at the Eifel Grand Prix.

Since winning the Tuscan Grand Prix at Mugello, Hamilton moved to 90 career wins to put him just one behind matching Schumacher’s long-standing record of 91 race victories in Formula 1.

Hamilton missed the chance to equal the record at the first time of asking after finishing third at the Russian Grand Prix and he will now have a second crack at it by lining up from P2 at the Nurburgring.

But whilst a lot of noise is being made around Hamilton about the record, the six-time World Champion himself has said once again that it is not a particular focus for him.

“Honestly it wouldn’t make any difference,” Hamilton replied when asked if equalling the all-time win record would be even more special if he was able to achieve at the Nurburgring – a track Schumacher won at five times in his career.

“I’ve got my work cut out in the race.

“It’s not something I particularly think about.

“If and when it happens, it’ll be great – but right now these two [Valtteri Bottas and Max Verstappen] are making it pretty hard for me. I’m enjoying this battle I’m having with these guys.”

 

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Hamilton was asked again later in the same press conference whether he wanted to get the all-time win record ticked off his list before focusing on clinching the World Championship.

But he was once again pretty dismissive about the subject.

“Not particularly, no,” he said.

“I am just not really bothered by…I know you keep asking me questions about it. I can’t tell you.

“I don’t feel a particular way about it right now. I’m solely focused on trying to do the best job I can.

“If that gets me to that win then great but of course, I’m not looking short term, I’m looking further ahead, you know.”

Hamilton heads into the Eifel Grand Prix with a 44-point lead in the World Championship standings ahead of team-mate Valtteri Bottas, who is searching for back-to-back wins after winning the previous round in Russia.

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