Lewis Hamilton believes he can make Formula 1 history as the first driver to win a race after reaching the milestone of 300 grand prix starts while calling out Fernando Alonso his toughest opponent.
The seven-times F1 world champion, who has a record 103 wins to his credit, will become only the sixth driver to chalk up 300 starts when he lines up on the grid in France on Sunday.
Finland's Kimi Raikkonen bowed out last year after a record 349 races, but was without a win since 2018, while it has been nearly a decade since still active Spaniard Fernando Alonso (344) last won.
Brazilian Rubens Barrichello (323 races), his ex-Ferrari teammate and seven-time F1 world champion Michael Schumacher (307) and Britain's Jenson Button (306) retired long after their last triumphs.
Mercedes driver Hamilton pays no attention to the statistics
"It doesn't faze me because I'm working towards getting that win," the 37-year-old Briton, who has won in every season he has entered but has now gone 12 races without a victory for the first time in F1, told reporters.
He made his debut at McLaren in 2007 with Alonso as team mate and the Spaniard, a double world champion now with Renault-owned Alpine, was sitting alongside on Thursday.
"He had the talent already in 2007 and he still has the talent now, with experience. He has been a tremendous driver, a legend of our sport," said Alonso. "It has been always a pleasure to share all this time with him.
"Back then probably no-one thought someone would be able to win seven titles as Michael but, yeah. The journey has been amazing...and hopefully another win soon."
Hamilton: A lot of pressure to go up against a great like Alonso
Hamilton was full of praise for Fernando Alonso when asked who his toughest rival has been, he said his former teammate, now 40, even if comparisons were difficult and reflected different life stages.
"I remember the task of being alongside Fernando when I was 22, I was so young mentally...it's a lot of pressure to go up against a great like him so I would say Fernando out of pure pace and ability," he said.
"We had some good battles, I wish we could have more. Hopefully, he's going to continue to race and we will have more in the future."
Hamilton highlighted three races - his debut in Australia, the first win in Canada in 2007 and first home grand prix at Silverstone.
Alonso: Lewis is a tremendous driver and a legend of our sport
Sitting in the press conference with Hamilton, Alonso said of the Briton: "He had the talent, already in 2007 and he still has the talent now with experience and he has been a tremendous driver, and a legend of our sport.
"So it has been always a pleasure to share all this time with him and back then probably no one thought that someone will be able to win seven titles as Michael. But yeah, the journey has been amazing and the team that they all build at Mercedes over these years, he was outstanding.
"Yes, congratulations for the 300 and hopefully another win soon," said Alonso.
Latest News
Loading
