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Publication date: October 13, 2020
Sebastian Vettel admits that he never thought anyone would match Michael Schumacher’s all-time win count and yet Lewis Hamilton has.
Hamilton claimed his 91st grand prix on Sunday, carrying the checkered flag at the Eifel Grand Prix ahead of Max Verstappen.
His seventh win this season put him on par with Schuamcher’s all-time record, which Hamilton will look to break when Formula 1 races at Portimao in two weeks.
He also saw the Briton slide to a 69-point lead as he navigates to another of Schumacher’s records, seven world titles.
“I can’t respect their efforts enough,” Vettel said. “I think it has been a number in my head that I always thought would never be surpassed or equaled. I think overall we’re pretty sure it will exceed this number!
“However, I have to say that Michael will always be my hero, and I think Michael had something about him that I haven’t seen in other drivers until now.
“It’s probably the fact that I looked up to him as a kid, and Lewis didn’t look up to him as a kid because he was competing with him, so it’s a different situation.
“But probably in another 10, 15, 20 years, there will be more admiration for that, but obviously when you are still active, you look at yourself and not so much at others. But like I said, you can’t appreciate him enough for what he’s accomplished. “
Verstappen, who joined Hamilton on the podium on Sunday, says he also thought Schumacher’s record would stand the test of time.
Still, he wonders if anyone else will ever come close.
“It is an incredible achievement,” Verstappen said. “91 wins, everyone thought it was almost impossible to achieve, right?
“Being there now, himself, is incredible and very impressive. And I’m pretty sure there will be more wins coming his way, and probably championships too.
“So yeah, just very impressive. And hard to beat. “
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And while Daniel Ricciardo acknowledges that to be successful for Hamilton, a driver must have the package to be successful, he says the Brit deserves “great respect” for what he has accomplished.
“Tip of the hat at least!” Ricciardo said. “With all the success Lewis has had now, obviously Michael too… his career now has spanned over a decade in the sport and to keep coming back and showing that level of consistency up front, it’s not easy either. I think we’re up here, I think we get it.
“You can have a package and a car to do it, but he does it every weekend when the lights go out. Easier said than done. Certainly great respect. I think also the gift he received, one of Michael’s helmets, is one of the coolest gifts I’ve seen in sport, so it’s really nice to see that today. “
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