LEWIS HAMILTON sat in his Mercedes’ cockpit along with his palms masking his face as fought again the tears.
He’d simply gained a record-equalling seventh world model in typical model however was determined to not present any weak point to his rivals.
Lewis Hamilton celebrates along with his trophy after victory in TurkeyCredit score: Getty Pictures
The Brit was in tears after profitable his seventh world titleCredit score: AFP
Hamilton celebrates with Sebastian Vettel and Sergio PerezCredit score: Getty Pictures
Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes boss Toto Wolff on the rostrumCredit score: Reuters
Victory number 94 got here as he crossed the road a whopping 31.6 seconds forward of Sergio Perez.
Hamilton mentioned: “My complete life I’ve secretly dreamt as excessive as this.
“I bear in mind watching Michael profitable these championships. We all the time hear simply to get 1 or 2 and even 3 is so arduous to get – 7 is simply so unimaginable.
“There is not any finish to what me and this crew can do collectively. What a day. Rather a lot to absorb.
“I really feel like I am solely simply getting began. I really feel bodily in nice form and mentally this yr has been the toughest yr for thousands and thousands of individuals and it is no completely different for us athletes.
“I am a bit misplaced for phrases. I believe naturally I’ve to say thanks to the crew. The journey we have been on is monumental.
“I need to say additionally a giant thanks to crew LH for sticking with me all these years. And to my household who dreamed of this after we have been younger and watching the grand prix. That is approach past our desires.
“It is so necessary for youths on the market to see this and know that do not take heed to anyone who tells you you may’t obtain one thing. Dream the not possible and converse it into existence. You have to work for it, chase it and by no means quit.”
Hamilton wipes away the tears of pleasureCredit score: AFP
Lewis Hamilton tosses the trophy within the air as Sebastian Vettel appears to be like onCredit score: Reuters
Brit Hamilton equalled Michael Schumacher’s report of seven titlesCredit score: Getty Pictures – Getty
Lewis Hamilton raises his fists in delight after a seventh world titleCredit score: AP:Related Press
Solely needing to make sure he completed forward of his teammate, Valtteri Bottas, who had a stinker and was left dizzy after a lot of spins, Hamilton may have performed it secure.
But when there may be one factor we now have learnt in regards to the 35-year-old throughout his profession is that he would not do issues the simple approach.
As a substitute of coasting residence, he thumped on the accelerator and thumped the brake pedal like his life relied on it.
There’s an argument that he solely wins races as a result of he has one of the best automotive. However in these moist slippery situations it’s easy; it was one of the best driver that gained.
Earlier than the race, there have been some anxious faces because the darkish clouds gathered over the Istanbul Park circuit and the heavens opened.
The rain had triggered havoc the day prior to this to end in an unlikely first pole place for Lance Stroll.
However there was one man who appeared an oasis of calm, regardless of what was at stake as Hamilton caught to his common pre-race routine.
The rain continued to fall and triggered some spins on the way in which to the grid as Antonio Giovinazzi and George Russell each discovered the obstacles earlier than limping again to the beginning.
As for the beginning itself, it was like these 1,000bhp vehicles have been caught in treacle as they sluggishly pulled away from the road.
It was like being at your native rink watching folks take to the ice for the primary time, taking pigeon steps as they tried to get their steadiness.
Max Verstappen, pent up having missed out on pole the day prior to this, barely moved ahead as Hamilton shortly went from sixth to fourth.
Against this, Bottas was tagged by Esteban Ocon and despatched into the primary of many spins for the day.
The Finn was powerless as he slid right into a 360 diploma spin that dropped him all the way down to 18th.
It was sport over from Flip One on Lap one.
Hamilton gained his seventh world title on Sunday in TurkeyCredit score: AP:Related Press
The Brit nursed his Mercedes residence within the rain to win one other world crownCredit score: AP:Related Press
With Hamilton in fourth, he performed out an exhilarating duel with Sebastian Vettel over a handful of laps, because the German rolled again the years by ending within the high three.
When Bottas stopped for intermediate tyres on the finish of lap seven, he had hauled himself again to fifteenth.
However he quickly began going backwards once more as he spun once more – a lot for all that rally expertise he did over final winter.
Then it was Hamilton’s flip to have a nervy second.
He bailed out of an try and overtake Vettel on Lap 16 and ran broad, permitting Alex Albon to go, dropping Hamilton down a spot.
Out in entrance, Stroll was being caught by Perez and Verstappen till the Dutchman proved somewhat too eager and despatched right into a terrifying spin at 200mph.
Michael Schumacher gained seven world titles throughout his personal dominant professionCredit score: AP:Related Press
The German dominated within the early 2000s in his FerrariCredit score: AP:Related Press
One way or the other, he managed to maintain on the blackstuff and prevented contact with the obstacles.
One other two spins for Bottas dropped him even additional again as Hamilton saved issues clear, regardless of maintaining the tempo.
It was like when the TV cameras at The Open minimize to the engraver writing the title of this yr’s winner on the Claret Jug.
No want for nervousness as Hamilton was handed an sudden double enhance.
First, Vettel makes a gradual pitstop earlier than Albon spins, permitting the champ into third place.
A pitstop for Stroll promoted Hamilton to second on lap 36. He was in P1 a lap later after overtaking Perez.
Drivers began on the moist tyres after rain lashed down in IstanbulCredit score: Getty Pictures
Valtteri Bottas spun on the opening lap to all however finish his possibilities of extending the world championshipCredit score: Getty Pictures
A lot for taking it straightforward.
As for Bottas, he was despatched into one other THREE SPINS, and with 12 laps to go there was the last word indignity, as Hamilton lapped his teammate.
The Finn made life harder for the Brit as he refused to maneuver off the racing line.
Bottas, who trundled residence in 14th place, was left questioning – like others earlier than him – if he’ll ever get the higher of his teammate.
On being instructed he had 4 laps to go, the dead-pan Bottas replied: “I want it was much less.” And who may blame him?
The specter of a rain bathe on the ultimate few laps almost added one other twist as Hamilton warned his crew that the worn intermediate tyres wouldn’t work.
However the rain stayed away and as he carried out his post-race interviews a phenomenal rainbow arched its approach throughout the paddock.
Hamilton had conjured this win out of nothing, the pot of gold was a seventh title on the finish of 14-year lengthy rainbow.
The drivers participate in a message towards racismCredit score: Getty Pictures
