Hamilton after his record: “It will take me a while to achieve it”

Without too much difficulty despite a turbulent start, Lewis Hamilton took the checkered flag first in Portugal to claim the 92nd victory of his career. From now on, the pilot Mercedes is the record holder for success in F1 before Michael Schumacher (91)

« I owe everything to the team, to the people here and to the factory for the incredible work they have done. They continued to innovate and continually raised the bar, he said before taking the podium. It is a privilege to be able to work with them. I am very grateful to them ».

If he crossed the finish line more than 25 seconds ahead of Valtteri Bottas, the man with 92 successes believes that the race was far from easy, especially after such an eventful start. “ It was difficult today. It was all about temperature and it was something I was able to control.

We predicted rain from the start and ultimately nothing. I got off to a good start even though I slipped and then at turn 7 I oversteered a lot so I lost a few places. I told myself that I had to let Valtteri pass. I was then able to come back on him and pass him ».

Congratulated by his entire team and Anthony, his father present in the Algarve, Lewis Hamilton would never have thought he would be capable of making history in the premier category of motorsport, at least not in this way.

« I could only have imagined being here in a dream. I didn't have a magic ball when I joined the team. Here I am now. I try to give the best of myself every day. We are all heading in the same direction and that is why we are enjoying this success. I'm going to take some time to make it happen. I can not find the words ».

Now at the top of the victory rankings, the six-time world champion is aiming for his seventh world crown. Enough to enter a little more in the record books.

Find the report and analysis of the Portuguese Grand Prix from our experts in AUTOhebdo No. 2284, available this Monday at 20 p.m. digital version and Wednesday on newsstands.