Social media was awash with praise for Lewis Hamilton after he clinched a record-equalling seventh World Drivers’ Championship title by winning the Turkish Grand Prix.
British driver Hamilton delivered arguably his finest display of the season to claim his 10th win from 14 races and match Michael Schumacher’s all-time title haul with three rounds to spare.
Former world champion Nico Rosberg led the adulation on Twitter, hailing his former rivals’ achievements as “insane” and among the “greatest” in sporting history.
7 x World Champion – that’s insane! Massively deserved. Surely one of the greatest achievements in the history of sports. Congratulations Lewis and enjoy the celebrations with your family and friends. #TurkishGP #F1
— Nico Rosberg (@NicoRosberg) November 15, 2020
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The German, who took the title in 2016, wrote: “7 x World Champion – that’s insane! Massively deserved. Surely one of the greatest achievements in the history of sports.
“Congratulations Lewis and enjoy the celebrations with your family and friends.”
Formula One described Hamilton and his joint record holder Schumacher as “legendary drivers”.
7 World titles. 2 Legendary drivers. pic.twitter.com/FsXcbi41A2
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 15, 2020
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Meanwhile, the Mercedes team were blown away by the impressive exploits of their star driver.
After tweeting they were “speechless” as Hamilton took the chequered flag in style, they added: “WHAT A WAY TO DO IT, MATE. WHAT A WAY TO WIN YOUR SEVENTH WORLD TITLE!”.
Other members of the motorsport community swiftly offered congratulatory words.
Dario Franchitti, a four-time IndyCar Series champion and three-time Indy 500 winner, saluted the winning performance in Istanbul as a “masterclass”, while Dutch racing driver Giedo Van Der Garde posted a picture of himself on the podium alongside a youthful Hamilton and praised the Briton’s self-belief.
“A masterclass today from @LewisHamilton to win his seventh World championship. So so impressive,” tweeted Franchitti.
Who would’ve thought that kid would go on to win 7 World Championships. I guess you did. Congratulations champ, you wrote history again today. @LewisHamilton pic.twitter.com/xTujMj0QMr
— Giedo van der Garde (@GvanderGarde) November 15, 2020
Van Der Garde wrote: “Who would’ve thought that kid would go on to win 7 World Championships. I guess you did. Congratulations champ, you wrote history again today. @LewisHamilton”.
French driver Romain Grosjean, who retired from the race on lap 52, had expected Schumacher’s record to stand the test of time.
He wrote: “Congrats @LewisHamilton Didn’t think Michael record was ever going to be equalize. Very impressive Congrats @MercedesAMGF1 for the incredible work also.”
England’s football team were short but sweet in their praise for the Stevenage-born driver, simply writing: “Congratulations, Lewis!” followed by a clapping emoji.
Congratulations, Lewis! 👏
— England (@England) November 15, 2020
Former England striker Gary Lineker hailed Hamilton’s display as “stunning”, adding a goat emoji at the end of his tweet.
“Congratulations to @LewisHamilton on equalling Michael Schumacher’s 7 world titles,” wrote Lineker.
“What an achievement. Has to be right up there alongside our greatest ever sportspeople. Stunning.”
Congratulations to @LewisHamilton on equalling Michael Schumacher’s 7 world titles. What an achievement. Has to be right up there alongside our greatest ever sportspeople. Stunning. 🐐
— Gary Lineker 💙💛 (@GaryLineker) November 15, 2020
However, not everyone in the football community was as complimentary.
Former Republic of Ireland striker Stephen Elliott dismissed suggestions Hamilton is Britain’s greatest sportsman as “ludicrous” in a tweet questioning the worthiness of Formula One.
“Maybe an unpopular opinion and I may be in the minority but some people claiming Lewis Hamilton as the greatest British sportsman ever is ludicrous. He drives a car around in circles. Ok, he seems to be the best at it but still!!! #formula1,” wrote the well-travelled former Sunderland and Wolves player.
Maybe an unpopular opinion and I may be in the minority but some people claiming Lewis Hamilton as the greatest British sportsman ever is ludicrous. He drives a car around in circles. Ok, he seems to be the best at it but still!!! 🤷🏻♂️ #formula1
— Stephen Elliott (@SleevesElliott) November 15, 2020
On a more positive note, there was praise from the political world.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace hailed Hamilton’s feat as a “world beating achievement”, while Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden offered a similar sentiment.
“Congratulations to Lewis Hamilton a world beating achievement. The UK should be very proud of his achievements and British Motorsport,” wrote Wallace.
Dowden posted: “Huge congratulations to @LewisHamilton 7 times @F1 World Champion and won in style #TurkishGP One of our greatest sports stars.”
Congratulations to Lewis Hamilton @LewisHamilton a world beating achievement. The UK should be very proud of his achievements and British Motorsport. @ourmotorsportuk @DCMS @MercedesAMGF1
— Rt. Hon Ben Wallace MP (@BWallaceMP) November 15, 2020
Meanwhile, the man himself dedicated his achievements to his fans, family and friends in a series of tweets.
“7X Formula 1 World Champion. Wow. To everyone that has supported me along the way, this is for you,” posted Hamilton.
“To my incredible family, where do I even start? I am eternally grateful for your unconditional love, sacrifices and support to my closest friends that have made this challenging season more bearable by continuously lifting my spirits, thank you, this year would have been so much harder without you.
“To every rival that has pushed me to grow and become better, thank you, I share this with you too…”
