愛污传媒

Skip to main content

Lewis Hamilton chases 100th F1 win on Schumacher's favourite track

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton prior to the Belgian Formula One Grand Prix, on Aug. 26, 2021. (Xpb Images.com, Pool via AP) Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton prior to the Belgian Formula One Grand Prix, on Aug. 26, 2021. (Xpb Images.com, Pool via AP)
Share
SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium -

Lewis Hamilton can clinch a record-extending 100th win at this Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix, where fellow F1 great Michael Schumacher secured the first of his 91 race victories on his favorite track 30 years ago.

The 36-year-old Hamilton has earned 78 of his 99 victories with Mercedes since 2013 after leaving McLaren.

Six of Hamilton's seven F1 titles have been with Mercedes and he believes he has surpassed his own expectations.

"When I decided to leave McLaren and join this team, I truly believed we would experience great success," Hamilton said Thursday at the Belgian GP. "But of course, I could never have imagined the success we would have had."

Hamilton's nine straight podium finishes in 2007 are still a record for a driver in his debut season. Although he missed out on the title to Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen by just one point that year, he beat Ferrari's Felipe Massa by one point the following year.

Hamilton has won every title since 2014 except for 2016, when his then-Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg won the title in the last race.

Hamilton attributes his success to a continued work ethic and fitness drive.

"I don't think it's the winning that's the addictive part. Maybe when you're younger that's the thing you're chasing all the time," Hamilton said. "But it's what's going on in the background, all the grafting you do."

He also credits Schumacher with changing the dynamic in pushing F1 drivers, some of whom had well-earned reputations as serious partygoers, to get much fitter.

"The focus on fitness and health continues. Michael started that many years ago," Hamilton said. "Drivers today are perhaps healthier than they were in the past."

Hamilton leads F1 for most wins and pole positions (101) but is level with Schumacher on seven titles.

Schumacher also holds the F1 record for most wins in Belgium with six, while Hamilton is fourth overall and level in third place with the late Jim Clark and Raikkonen -- who is still driving at age 41 with Alfa Romeo.

The 7-kilometre (4.3-mile) Spa-Francorchamps track nestled in the thick Ardennes forest is the longest in F1.

With its unpredictable weather, iconic corners such as Eau Rouge, high G-force and brutal elevation changes, it has a unique feel for drivers.

Spa's long straights for overtaking will make Red Bull's Max Verstappen very dangerous in qualifying and in the race.

Hamilton has been pushed hard this season by the 23-year-old Dutchman, who trails Hamilton by eight points in the standings after seeing his 33-point lead evaporate in two races before the mid-season break.

But Verstappen leads Hamilton 5-4 in wins, 5-3 for pole positions and 4-3 for fastest laps, and Hamilton expects a strong fightback from Red Bull.

"We've seen the speed and competitiveness they have," he said. "I think it's going to be the same in the second half (of the season), if not more difficult."

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Angela Salvatore had been away from her father's hospital bedside for just over an hour when she says she got a frantic call from a nurse, pleading with her to calm him down.

Canadian Ryan James Wedding finished in 24th place in the parallel giant slalom at the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City, but the snowboarder wouldn鈥檛 go on to improve his results in Torino four years later.

The mystery of a 100-year-old letter sent from Manitoba to Ireland is slowly unraveling thanks to the work of one amateur sleuth.

Local Spotlight

A new resident at a Manitoba animal rescue has waddled her way into people's hearts.

Hundreds of people ran to the music of German composer and pianist Beethoven Wednesday night in a unique race in Halifax.

He is a familiar face to residents of a neighbourhood just west of Roncesvalles Avenue.

A meteor lit up our region's sky last night 鈥 with a large fireball shooting across the horizon over Lake Erie at around 7:00 p.m.

Residents of Ottawa's Rideauview neighbourhood say an aggressive wild turkey has become a problem.

A man who lost his life while trying to rescue people from floodwaters, and a 13-year-old boy who saved his family from a dog attack, are among the Nova Scotians who received a medal for bravery Tuesday.

A newly minted Winnipegger is hoping a world record attempt will help bring awareness for the need for more pump track facilities in the city.

A Springfield, Ont. man is being hailed a 'hero' after running into his burning home to save his two infant children.

Hortense Anglin was the oldest graduate to make her way across the platform at York University's Fall Convocation ceremony this week. At the age of 87, she graduated with an Honours degree in Religious Studies.

Stay Connected