Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton wins a record-equalling seventh F1 world title after securing a win in the Turkish Grand Prix, reports news agency AFP. The Briton matched Michael Schumacher’s haul of drivers’ crowns with three races of the season remaining. “That’s for all the kids out there who dream the impossible. You can do it, man,” Hamilton said after the race.

The 35-year-old sealed his latest title with a typically measured masterclass, handling treacherous wet early conditions to claim his 94th career win despite starting sixth on the grid.

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Hamilton, who sealed his first title in 2008, was adding to his unprecedented roster of records – most wins with 94, most pole positions, most podium finishes and most consecutive points finishes. His victory in Istanbul gave him an unassailable lead over his only rival, teammate Valtteri Bottas, with two races in Bahrain and the season-closing Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to come.

Hamilton was followed home on Sunday by Racing Point’s Sergio Perez with Sebastian Vettel for Ferrari in third. Bottas was down in 14th.

“That’s for all the kids out there that believe in the impossible,” said an emotional Hamilton on Mercedes’ team radio. “You can do it.” Hamilton admitted he found it difficult to express his feelings afterwards. “I’m definitely a bit lost for words,” he said.

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“Naturally, I have to start by saying a huge thank you to the guys here and the guys at the factory. The journey we’ve been on is monumental. I want to also thank ‘Team LH’ for sticking with me, and my family.”

He added: “We dreamed of this when I was young.,”I remember watching Michael win those world championships. To get one or two or even three is so hard.

“Seven is unimaginable. There is no end to what we can do together, me and this team. “I feel like I’m only just getting started. Physically, I’m in great shape.” He lapped his team-mate and only remaining title rival Valtteri Bottas, who finished 14th after a desultory outing, to claim his 10th victory in 14 races of a season delayed by the coronavirus pandemic.

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Hamilton’s old rival, four-time former champion Sebastian Vettel, finished third ahead of his Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz of McLaren and, after a wild and impulsive afternoon, Max Verstappen in the leading Red Bull.

Alex Albon came home seventh in the second Red Bull ahead of Lando Norris in the second McLaren, Lance Stroll, who had started from his maiden pole position for Racing Point, and Daniel Ricciardo of Renault. This latest triumph gave Hamilton an unassailable lead over Bottas, with two races in Bahrain and the season-closing Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to come.

Vettel, who grabbed a podium finish on the final lap, was the first man to congratulate Hamilton in the pits, leaning into the Englishman’s cockpit to tell him he had made history.