Formula 1 history is made! Hamilton breaks Schumacher's win record in Portugal

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25 October 2020 at 14:40
Last update 25 October 2020 at 14:48
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  • Matt Gretton
  • Editor-in-Chief

Lewis Hamilton breaks Michael Schumacher's F1 career win record with victory number 92 in the 2020 Portuguese Grand Prix. The pole-sitter had some work to do after losing the lead in the first lap, but his strong tyre management saw him regain the lead on lap 20. Hamilton was in a dominating mood, lapping everyone except those on the podium and Charles Leclerc. Valtteri Bottas and Max Verstappen rounded out the podium. 

From Hamilton's first win back in Canada 2007, the British driver is now leading the way in terms of F1 career wins, breaking Michael Schumacher's record which has stood in place for 354 Grands Prix. 

Schumacher's record was always in question ever since Hamilton signed his latest two-year contract extension with Mercedes. With Hamilton stretching his lead in the Formula 1 World Championship after the race in Portugal, it's almost inevitable now that he'll equal the seven titles. 

Verstappen had a quiet day despite some contact on the opening lap. Leclerc once again got the best out of the struggling Ferrari, finishing fourth. Perez, who at one stage was last, finished seventh after Pierre Gasly and Carlos Sainz overtook him during the final laps. 

Alex Albon failed to make a positive impression just when his Red Bull Racing bosses start to question his future in the seat alongside Verstappen. The rain was always threatening, but it never materialised into something serious. 

Dramatic start!

Bottas was slow off the start line and ended up behind Verstappen going into the first corner. But the Finnish driver was the leader before the first lap concluded by overtaking Hamilton. Verstappen and Sergio Perez had a tangle, leaving the Racing Point car facing backwards and in P20.

The medium tyres took a long time to warm-up and get into the ideal working window. Most drivers on softs gained places in the opening five laps, including Sainz who was able to fight the two Mercedes drivers and take the lead.

Kimi Raikkonen also felt the benefits of the soft tyres, at one point climbing up nine places.

Mediums warm-up 

Bottas regained the lead on lap six once the medium tyres started to work on the newly resurfaced track. Despite Hamilton complaining about the quality of his tyres, the British driver regained the lead using DRS on the pit straight during lap 20.

Lance Stroll received a five-second penalty for an overtaking incident with Lando Norris at turn one, before picking up another five-second penalty for exceeding track limits later in the race. On lap 24, Verstappen pitted for the medium tyre.

At the half-way stage, George Russell was running in seventh, looking hopeful for his first-ever points finish in Formula 1. The Williams driver dropped down to P15 after his pitstop.

With a 10 second lead over Bottas, and a further 39 second lead to Verstappen, Mercedes opted to pit Hamilton for the hard tyres. Bottas mentioned the soft tyres on the team radio, but he got fitted with a fresh set of hard tyres. 

Comfortable finish

Perez battled back through the field, and with another pitstop, he rejoined the track in P6. Hamilton continued to push, stretching his lead over Bottas until the last lap. 

Perez moved up to fifth, but Gasly was pushing hard. On lap 64, Gasly tried to attack on the home straight but couldn't make it past despite a strong challenge. One lap later under DRS, Gasly got him on the inside.