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“He Would Have Never Dreamt”: Taking the Crown From Michael Schumacher Was Never on the List for F1 King Lewis Hamilton

Published Jan 21, 2023 | 5:00 AM EST

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“It’s Win #91. The record is equaled. Schumacher and Hamilton – The Most Successful drivers of all time in terms of race wins!” In a rather short 2020 season, Lewis Hamilton did not fail to break the records and stand on equal footing with one of the greatest drivers of F1. It was more of the usual that Lewis marched to victory at the Nurburgring. But, the vibe certainly felt different, as he equaled Michael Schumacher and looked on the verge of going past the German’s tally of 91 wins. Though, just before Lewis achieved this feat, his Mercedes boss Toto Wolff cited how he felt that Michael has been the greatest driver of all time.

Speaking at the 2020 Russian GP in a Sky Sports F1 interview, Wolff cited how getting past Schumacher’s 91 wins was never on the list for Lewis who has arguably become the king of F1. He stated, “Yeah it is incredible. We don’t think about it a lot and I think that also Lewis [Hamilton] pushes it aside a little bit.”

“Because he would have never dreamt of achieving 91 wins. He would have never dreamt of having a similar career like Michael [Schumacher].”

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Toto also explained how for any driver it would be extremely emotional to be statistically the best of all time. Although, he also mentioned how Hamilton ain’t thinking about it too much. But the Mercedes boss further added, “But if can do it then obviously it’s gonna be overwhelming to be on the same level than [as] the greatest driver of all time.”

Wolff citing Schumacher as the greatest driver of all time certainly shows how much he respects the former Ferrari champion. Nonetheless, when Lewis got successive wins at the Eifel GP and the Portuguese GP to get past Michael’s tally of 91 wins, even Toto may have been speechless.

Read More: Rare Quality Helps Lewis Hamilton to Get the Better of F1 Geniuses Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna

But Lewis did not stop there, as he leveled the 7 world titles record of Schumacher in Istanbul the same season. A dream that he never thought was possible before making his F1 entry. Yet, Hamilton achieved it and also broke the century mark of race wins in the subsequent year.

Does Lewis Hamilton have anything left to prove in F1?

After countless records to his name, Lewis Hamilton easily comes into the discussion of the greatest drivers of all time in F1. Lewis has the most number of wins, poles, podiums, and championships. What else is left for the great man to prove?

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Perhaps, it is just his passion for F1, that keeps him motivated enough to stay. Every driver burns out with growing age and moves on to new endeavors. Like his pal, Sebastian Vettel finally hung up his helmet for being with his family. Though, Lewis does not think about settling down yet.

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So, the Briton may still be having a target in his mind. Maybe the 8th world championship. Who knows, it is difficult to gauge his feeling about records. Usually, Lewis does not focus too much on numbers. Still, any driver will want to be on top of such statistical lists, if they have the chance.

via Reuters

Going into 2023, Hamilton will surely have a target in mind. To get back in the fight at the top and get redemption. His last world championship still remains his record-equaling triumph in Turkey in 2020.

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WATCH HIS STORY: F1 Clarifies Safety Car Rules That Cost Lewis Hamilton The 2021 Championship

So, will we see Lewis Hamilton picking up the elusive 8th world title in 2023? It is surely a thing to watch as the season opener in Bahrain is just more than a month away. What do you think Lewis has left to prove in F1?

Written by:

Aishwary Gaonkar

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Aishwary Gaonkar is an F1 Author at EssentiallySports. Having completed his postgrad, he has set out to venture into the world of Sports Journalism. He is an ardent fan of F1 and has been following the most prestigious form of motor racing for over a decade now.
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Edited by:

Varunkumaar Chelladurai