'Unreal' to be a win away from Schumacher record - Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton has declared it 'unreal' to be on the brink of equalling Michael Schumacher's all-time record of 91 grand prix victories in Formula 1.

Schumacher's remarkable feat has stood for 14 years as he was last atop the podium at the 2006 Chinese Grand Prix. Over time, no-one has believed such a mark would be beaten.

But following his 90th win last time out in the Tuscan Grand Prix at Mugello, the current championship leader is on the verge of matching the achievement of his Mercedes predecessor.

"It just doesn’t seem real," said Hamilton. "Obviously it’s ultimately a privilege to be in a position and to have such a great team and a car to be able to deliver weekend in, weekend out.

"I just feel forever grateful to the people that continue to work hard. I’m just a link in the chain, but getting the wins is not easy when you have a great driver in Valtteri [Bottas] pushing you to the limit, weekend in, weekend out.

"I never thought that I would be here, that’s for sure."

Should Hamilton take the chequered flag in Sochi, the Briton would have the chance to make the record his own at the Nürburgring a fortnight later, a circuit on which Schumacher won five times.

Across this season, Hamilton has continued to rewrite the history books, beating two further Schumacher records in standing on the podium and leading more laps.

Hamilton commented: "All of us drivers here grew up watching Michael and dreamed of one day being here.

"What is happening right now is far beyond what I dreamed as a kid. I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity that I'm given every day.

"I think Michael was obviously an incredible athlete and driver.

"So I just always feel really humbled and honoured to be mentioned in the same light as a driver like him, and Ayrton [Senna] and [Juan Manuel] Fangio."

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