Hamilton breaks Schumacher's all-time F1 victory record

La Formula 1 has a new record holder for career victories. Two weeks after equaling the 91 successes of Michael Schumacher in Germany, Lewis Hamilton seizes the first opportunity that presents itself to him to eclipse the mark of the seven-time world champion. 

The pilot Mercedes However, they had to work hard to achieve this historic 92nd victory. By winning in Portimão, the Briton also adds a 28th track to his record, an improved record. 

Author of a solid start from pole position, Hamilton however quickly found himself in trouble with his medium tires. The six-time world champion could not have done anything to counter his teammate's attack Valtteri Bottas, but above all the attacks of a Carlos Sainz in fire. 

Party 7rd, the pilot McLaren took advantage of significantly better performing soft tires at the start of the race to catapult themselves into the lead! The Spaniard also benefited from a clash between Max Verstappen (Red Bull) and Sergio Pérez (Racing Point) in front of him as well as a track made even more slippery by the appearance of a few drops of rain. Also note the exceptional start of Kimi Räikkönen, 6th after starting from 16th place on the grid with his modest Alfa Romeo. 

The first laps therefore proved particularly delicate for the Mercedes, as did the Ferrari de Leclerc, also shod with mediums at the start. On the other hand, as soon as the yellow tires got over their sluggish start, the Black Arrows were able to begin a triumphant return.

Bottas dropped Sainz on lap 6 and was imitated by Hamilton on the next pass. The Finn kept a little more than a couple of seconds ahead of the 2nd W11 until the 16th lap. It was at this point that Hamilton began to regain ground with better laps in the race. A ride concluded with an unstoppable overtake on the start/finish straight at the start of the 20th lap. 

Back in control, the world championship leader then took off with disconcerting ease. He swapped his Mediums for Hards on the 41st lap and went on to secure his 92nd career victory, more than 25 seconds ahead of his closest rival.

Behind, Bottas tried an offbeat strategy by asking for Softs during his 2nd pit-stop. Request refused by Mercedes on the grounds of fairness among teammates. Of which act. 

Verstappen avoided the penalty after hooking Pérez on the first lap and finished a distant 3rd. Charles Leclerc finished at the foot of the podium but the Monegasque will have nothing to reproach himself for after a well-conducted race aboard an SF1000 which has been making constant progress for 3 races. 

Leclerc is ahead of his childhood friend Pierre Gasly, 5th at the end of a new performance of choice at the wheel of his Alpha Tauri. The Frenchman is, however, the subject of an investigation by the stewards after arguing with Pérez in the final laps. 

Last at the end of the first lap, Pérez made an ultra-early first pit stop before starting a strong comeback to return to 1th position with his Racing Point. The Mexican was 7th at the start of the final laps before slipping behind Gasly then Sainz, the first leader of a Grand Prix which deserves to return to the calendar. The Spaniard finished in a good 5th place.

In a complicated weekend for Renault, the Losange drivers are gritting their teeth to grab 8th and 9th places, Esteban Ocon before Daniel Ricciardo. Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) snatches the last point at stake this afternoon by beating his former teammate Räikkönen. 

Lewis Hamilton's triumph is complete as he also pockets the bonus point for fastest lap in the race. The Briton is now 77 points ahead of Bottas with 5 races to go. Suffice to say that the 7th world title he is aiming for this year looks more and more like a formality.

History maker #PortugueseGP  #F1 pic.twitter.com/kKkvJ0e5BE

- Formula 1 (@ F1) October 25, 2020