Lewis Hamilton ready to match Ayrton Senna
This weekend, in Singapore, Lewis Hamilton can match Ayrton Senna in the number of Formula 1 victories with the same number of races contested. The reigning world champion is thus close to achieving his main goal in the discipline: equaling his Brazilian idol.
On the occasion of the Singapore Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton will, of course, be looking to further extend his lead over Nico Rosberg in the world championship. However, the Englishman has every right to aim even higher: if he wins on Sunday, he will have, just like his idol Ayrton Senna, 41 victories in 161 Grand Prix contested.
The coincidence is flattering for the Mercedes driver: « When I was a kid, my goal was to match Ayrton. It was only after the last race [at Monza] that I was informed of my number of F1 victories and that it almost matched Ayrton’s career. Honestly, I couldn’t believe it. I never knew it during the nine years of my career. Of course, it’s quite an incredible feeling. »
Although the fateful hour approaches, Lewis Hamilton, the comfortable leader of the championship this season, does not seem burdened by the stakes: “I am simply grateful to have this opportunity. I have always wanted to do as well as Ayrton Senna, but I don’t feel any particular pressure this weekend. I can well imagine that if I were to match Senna, I would be deeply moved.”
In Italy, during the last race, Lewis Hamilton had already equaled Senna’s number of podiums in Formula 1 (80).
