Before Making F1 Entry, Lewis Hamilton Couldn’t Help But Laugh At Landing At Unbeatable Michael Schumacher Record: “I Would Just Be Happy With One”

“The Championship record is equaled. Lewis Hamilton wins the Turkish Grand Prix and is a 7-time Champion of the World!” These words on commentary were once a dream to the boy from Stevenage. It was a moment to cherish on the wet asphalt of Istanbul; a moment emulated by Lewis Hamilton 16 years after Michael Schumacher achieved the record 7th title in Belgium.

Back when Hamilton was still racing in GP2, in 2006 he had an incredible record. He was highly rated by McLaren who handed the British rookie his F1 debut in 2007. During an interview in Italy during his 2006 GP2 campaign, Lewis spoke about his F1 ambitions.

Hamilton mentioned how he would like to emulate Michael Schumacher who was already a 7-time World champion by then. He said, “People like Michael Schumacher, you know. He’s achieved so much. And, you know. I don’t know how easy it’ll be for.. ah.” 

“I don’t know whether it would be possible for me to win seven world championships but, I would just be happy with one. But you know we just have to wait and see.”

As Hamilton speculated in this interview, it was never going to be easy. Back then, Lewis would have settled on just one world title. And he won that first world title in his sophomore year in F1.

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Little did anyone know that Hamilton would win not just one or two, but 6 more world championships with the Silver Arrows.

Michael Schumacher once shared his thoughts on Lewis Hamilton

Michael Schumacher was interviewed back in 2008 and asked if Lewis can equal his feat of 7 world titles. And the German said, “I would say absolutely yes. Because nobody thought and neither myself. I [never] thought I could beat the 5 of [Juan Manuel] Fangio and then I did, and I even increased it to 7.”

Schumacher added, “Records are there to be beaten. And I am quite relaxed that one day it will happen. Whether it’s Lewis, whether it’s Massa or it’s Sebastian Vettel, or whoever. I might be somebody of the current or the future that could or will do it.”

Michael had followed Lewis Hamilton through his GP2-winning season. He mentioned at the start of the 2007 season, that Hamilton is very talented and consistent and was hopeful he keeps it up. Now not only did Hamilton keep it up, but he also dominated F1 like Schumacher.

It was a career-defining move for Lewis Hamilton when he signed up for Mercedes, leaving McLaren in 2013. And it could not be more poetic for the Briton’s story as he was replacing Michael Schumacher himself. Many arguably said that “He will never win in a Mercedes.” Nevertheless, Lewis signed up, and the rest is history.

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Coming back to that race in Turkey, when Lewis crossed the finish line, his tearful eyes said everything. And it became one of the most emotional moments of the sport. The only thing that could have made it better was Schumacher witnessing his prophecy being made a reality!