It was just two short weeks ago when we last wrote about Lewis Hamilton’s run of glory in the current F1 season here on TrackDays, when he matched Michael Schumacher’s record of 91 wins at the Eifel Grand Prix earlier this month. Our closing words on that article were that it wasn’t going to be the last time we’d see him atop the podium.
And sure enough, his success has extended further over this weekend just gone. As of yesterday, by winning this year’s Portugese Grand Prix at Portimão - his 92nd win in all - he is now officially the most successful driver ever in Formula 1 history.
Regardless of whether he adds any more wins to that total, either in this current season or beyond, this total of victories is now the all-time record that every other driver and team will aspire to and try to beat for generations to come. He was also 25 seconds ahead of his teammate Valterri Bottas - who finished in second place, which is also the biggest winning margin of this current season.
Want to know something else that proves just what an achievement Hamilton’s win yesterday was? He also had the fastest lap of the race, which, with just five more races left to go this season, now puts him comfortably at the top of the overall drivers’ Championship on 256 points. His teammate Bottas is in second place with 179 points.
Writing on his Instagram account after his win yesterday, a euphoric Lewis said "Today is beyond my wildest dreams. I couldn’t be here today without my team, continuously innovating and pushing the barrier in this game … It’s been such a privilege to work with you all."He also paid tribute to Schumacher, the previous record holder, saying "I’m thinking of [you] today. I will forever have the utmost admiration and respect for you, it’s truly been an honour to be mentioned in the same sentence as you."
It is likely to be some time and another generation yet before we see anyone come close to the dedication, work ethic and drive that Lewis Hamilton has shown in spades that has got him to this historic moment in what has been the most unforgettable F1 season in years.
A huge congratulations is in order to Lewis for his amazing achievement from us here at TrackDays. We’d suggest marking your calendars for the future - hey, maybe even print a copy of this article - so you can let your grandkids know years from now where you were when Formula 1 history was made.