Vettel "sad" to see Schumacher's "impossible" record tumble to Hamilton
Vettel "sad" to see Schumacher's "impossible" record tumble to Hamilton
Sebastian Vettel has stated it will be a sad moment for him when Lewis Hamilton breaks Michael Schumacher's once "impossible" record for the number of Formula 1 wins.
Schumacher claimed his 91st victory towards the end of 2006 in the Chinese Grand Prix, a haul that many thought at the time would never be beaten.
Hamilton, though, will equal the feat on Sunday should he take the chequered flag in the Russian Grand Prix, a race he has won on four of the previous six occasions it has been held.
Although saddened to see the records of "hero" Schumacher broken, Vettel at least feels Hamilton is deserving of the accolade given his extreme levels of success and dedication over the years.
“I think it has always been a number that has seemed impossible to reach," said Vettel of the Schumacher haul.
"Now seeing obviously over the last few years Lewis’ track record, he was getting closer and closer and I think it was probably a question of time until he reached that.
“On the one hand, for sure, it will be sad because Michael is still my hero. On the other hand, I will be very happy for Lewis.
"I think he deserves all of the success he has had in the last years and he is going to have this year, and I don’t know if he remains, I guess so, and the next years.
“[So] A bit half-half…mixed emotions but that’s how I feel."
Over the first half of the last decade, Vettel was the dominant force in F1, taking four back-to-back world championship titles - a feat Hamilton will equal should he retain his crown this year.
Asked if he believed he would one day match Schumacher's victory haul, Vettel added: “For myself, I don’t know.
"Obviously I’m far away but, as I said, it was always one of these numbers that seemed impossible up to the point where somebody gets there, gets close and breaks it.”
Before you go...
Ricciardo not "left on the side" by Alonso's Renault arrival
Raikkonen's future not influenced by F1 starts record
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Audi agree STAR driver contract as Mercedes driver tipped for new F1 seat THIS season - GPFans F1 Recap
- 39 minutes ago
Ferrari show off new-look drivers following HUGE announcement
- 1 hour ago
McLaren leading fight for HUGE cash injection
- 2 hours ago
Newey set to announce STUNNING Red Bull departure
- Yesterday 17:57
Newey Red Bull exit wish CONFIRMED as F1 guru's reasons revealed
- 3 hours ago
F1 legend reveals 'FLOOD' of death threats after controversial decision
- Yesterday 19:57
Related news
Incredible statistic puts Verstappen AHEAD of Hamilton record
Fierce rival calls Hamilton F1's GOAT in surprise admission
Hamilton sends strong message over Gaza deaths
Former F1 chief hits out at Hamilton 'EXCUSES'
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860