Schumacher would have been ‘very proud’ of Hamilton – Brundle

Sky F1’s Martin Brundle believes Michael Schumacher would have been mightily impressed by how Lewis Hamilton equaled the great German driver’s record of seven world titles this year.

Brundle and his fellow Sky pundits and former F1 drivers Paul Di Resta and Anthony Davidson cast their vote for their most memorable moment of the action-packed 2020 season.

Brundle singled out the Turkish GP as his top pick, not only for the world championship milestone achieved by Hamilton at Istanbul, but especially for the style in which the Mercedes driver acquired his win and subsequent seventh title.

Starting sixth, the Briton delivered a masterful performance in difficult conditions to claim his tenth win of 2020 by over 25 seconds from Racing Point’s Sergio Perez.

“Where do you start? It has been one of the most remarkable seasons I’ve ever experienced in 37 years of this business,” said Brundle. “But I’ve gone for Lewis Hamilton winning the Turkish GP, in great style.

“He did not have the fastest car on the track in that day in history yet lapped his team-mate and won by half a minute in treacherous conditions when people couldn’t find any grip.

“That, of course, meant he matched the great Michael Schumacher’s tally of seven Formula 1 world championships, in a style in which Michael would have been very proud and very impressed by.”

Paul Di Resta’s highlighted Perez’s win at Sakhir, where the Mexican collected his maiden Grand Prix victory despite an opening lap incident that had sent him to the back of the field.

“The first person ever to be last at the first lap and win a Grand Prix,” said the Scot. “I think it could be career-defining. Not that I don’t think he deserved it before, but I think he’s shown great fighting spirit.

“It couldn’t happen to a person who is more liked in the paddock. It caught everybody’s hearts.”

    Read also: Brawn names ‘truly exceptional’ Hamilton as top 2020 driver

For Anthony Davidson, George Russell’s one-off with Mercedes in Bahrain was not only a memorable moment but also a glimpse into the future.

“I’m going to go for George Russell in Bahrain finally getting the chance to drive a car at the sharp end of the field,” commented Davidson.

“Big shoes to fill – although his shoes were actually a bit too big! – but he squeezed into that car and he made it work.

“Started the race at the front, got into the lead at the start, and obviously then had bad luck. But he just didn’t give up and it was great to see this young driver full of energy given that chance.

“It didn’t end well, but something tells me we’re going to see him back at the front in the future.”

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