Lewis Hamilton relives "mind-blowing" experience of clinching seventh F1 title in Turkey

Lewis Hamilton

Hamilton relives "mind-blowing" experience of clinching seventh F1 title in Turkey

Hamilton equalled Michael Schumacher's record after an incredible race at Istanbul Park

Ewan Gale

Wednesday 6 January 2021 07:59

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Lewis Hamilton has recounted the "mind-blowing" experience of claiming his record-equalling seventh world championship title at the "extremely strange" Turkish Grand Prix.

Hamilton wrapped up the title at Istanbul Park with three races to spare as variable weather, coupled with an extremely slippery surface that had been laid just 10 days before cars took to the track, created the most treacherous of conditions.

Although Hamilton struggled for pace all weekend, the 35-year-old astonishingly emerged victorious by just over half-a-minute to seal his historic championship.

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“It was an amazing race," he said. "I remember the weekend, just the track feeling terrible to drive for all of us.

"We couldn’t get the tyres working, everyone was sliding around – it was the slipperiest surface we had ever been on because the tyre wasn’t working with the track. It was like driving around on cold tyres. “It was extremely strange and the race itself, obviously, we weren’t quick in qualifying, we struggled.

"We didn’t really know how we would do in the race. Some corners were wet, some were damp, and some, one wheel's worth was dry. Navigating the lap was awesome."

With six titles to his name going into the race, Hamilton revealed the enormity of matching Schumacher's haul finally struck him as the race drew to a close.

He added: "Three laps to the end, all of a sudden [I was] realising ‘Oh my God, there’s three laps. If I finish this off I’m going to be a seven-time world champion’. That was mind-blowing that experience. “I couldn’t believe that it just happened after years and years and years of questioning and doubting and not sure whether it was going to happen.

“Just flipping that negativity into positivity each time but never knowing if it's going to work and then I made it, so it was a real confirmation of that belief that I’ve had in myself for a long time.”