Lewis Hamilton is set to make his 400th career F1 start at the São Paulo Grand Prix this weekend and has set his target to continue winning beyond the milestone. The Ferrari driver will become only the second driver in the sport’s history to make 400 race starts.
Speaking to the media on Thursday in Interlagos, Hamilton, who made his F1 debut in 2007 with McLaren, admitted that he never expected to reach such a significant number of race starts.
“I definitely didn’t anticipate I’d ever get to 400,” Hamilton said. “I never thought about that.
“I do remember I was approaching 300 and the narrative that everyone said that no one’s won after 300 Grands Prix; I proved that wrong. So I’ll have to do that after 400.”
The Briton will reach the milestone at the Interlagos Circuit on Sunday when he lines up on the grid. Hamilton and Fernando Alonso will be the only two drivers to have made 400 or more Grand Prix starts in F1 history. Alonso currently holds the record for the most F1 starts, with 444.
Lewis Hamilton ‘Never Thought’ He Would Reach the 400 Race Milestone
The Ferrari driver reflected on how unusual it feels to reach a milestone that once seemed unimaginable. The seven-time F1 champion has no intention of treating the occasion as a farewell or slowing down, insisting that he still has the pace, speed, and dedication to compete at the highest level. His Mexico pole position, which extended his all-time pole record, is an example of it.
“It’s kind of crazy. I never ever thought that I would be reaching numbers like that,” Hamilton said.
“I still feel young, and regardless of the things that people say, you saw my pole last week (in Mexico). I still have the pace, I still have the speed, I still have the dedication, which is most important, and the focus.”
Lewis Hamilton has established himself as one of the most successful drivers in Formula 1 history. He holds the joint record for the most F1 world championships, with seven titles alongside Michael Schumacher. He also holds the records for the most Grand Prix victories (106), pole positions (105), and podium finishes (209).
Hamilton Yet To Resolve Frustration After His Clash with Leclerc in Mexico
While the 41-year-old has plenty of reasons to celebrate his career milestone, he arrives in Brazil carrying frustration from Ferrari’s intra-team troubles in Mexico.
The opening lap incident at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez between Hamilton and his teammate Charles Leclerc has continued to bother the Briton.
Ahead of the Brazilian GP, Hamilton revealed that he had not yet spoken to either Leclerc or Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur about the clash.
Vasseur returned to Italy between the two race weekends, while Leclerc travelled to Monaco to spend time with his family following the birth of his first child.
Hamilton acknowledged that discussions would eventually take place but made it clear that the frustration had not disappeared.
“I was frustrated, and I am still frustrated. Conversations need to be had, so we will have those when the time permits,” Hamilton said.
With his 400th career milestone race approaching, Hamilton will be looking to put the disappointment behind him and deliver a strong performance at Interlagos Circuit.
More F1 Reading
- Who Is Arvid Lindblad? The British-Born F1 Rookie Flying the Indian Flag on His Helmet
- Lewis Hamilton’s Mission 44 Foundation Targets Engineering Careers for São Paulo Students
- Gabriel Bortoleto and Rafael Câmara Become Brazil’s First F1 Pair Since 2016 at Interlagos
- Will It Rain at Interlagos? Sao Paulo GP Weather Forecast Puts Qualifying Most at Risk
Comments
More in News
Apple Will Chase F1 Rights Beyond the US After Debut Season, Stefano Domenicali Says
Who Is Arvid Lindblad? The British-Born F1 Rookie Flying the Indian Flag on His Helmet
Lewis Hamilton’s Mission 44 Foundation Targets Engineering Careers for São Paulo Students
Gabriel Bortoleto and Rafael Câmara Become Brazil’s First F1 Pair Since 2016 at Interlagos
