BRITON Lewis Hamilton clinched a record-tying seventh Formula One title Sunday — matching Michael Schumacher’s victories — by winning the Turkish Grand Prix.

So complete was Hamilton’s domination that he lapped sole rival and teammate Valtteri Bottas with 12 laps to go on a nightmare afternoon for the spinning Finn who finished 14th.

“Thank you so much guys ... that’s for all the kids out there who dream the impossible. You can do it too man, I believe in you guys,” he whooped over the radio after taking the checkered flag.

The Briton finished a massive 31.6 seconds clear of Racing Point’s second-placed Mexican Sergio Perez in a race run behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Seven is just unimaginable but when you work with such a great group of people and you really trust each other, there is just no end to what can do together,” said Hamilton, who has yet to sign a new deal for 2021. “I feel like I’m only just getting started.”

Hamilton was congratulated after parking up by Perez, who still has no seat for 2021, and Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel who completed the podium in a race full of spins and changes of lead.

“I told him that it was very special for us because we can witness history being made today,” said Vettel, a four-time world champion with Red Bull and on the podium for the first time this year. “There is no doubt Lewis is the greatest in terms of what he has achieved.”

Bottas, who said over the radio four laps from the end that he wished the race was already finished, also went across to extend his hand.

Mercedes had already won the constructors’ championship for a seventh year in a row, an unprecedented feat.

While Perez started third and eked out his tires, Canadian teammate Lance Stroll saw his dreams of a first win disappear after leading from his first pole position. He finished ninth, the slide down the order starting when he pitted on lap 37.

(SD-Agencies)