Lewis Hamilton wins Japan GP and equals Ayrton Senna record

LEWIS HAMILTON matched his idol’s record of 41 Formula One victories on Sunday September 27 in the Japanese Grand Prix.

Speaking after the race Hamilton said, “For me to come here to a race where I used to love watching Ayrton drive, to match his wins, I can’t really describe it. It doesn’t feel real at the moment.”

Hamilton is now 48 points clear of his Mercedes team mate, Nico Rosberg, with five races to go. His Mercedes team mate was forced into fourth place after a first lap overtake from Hamilton before advancing to second.

Rosberg crossed the line 18.9 seconds behind Hamilton with Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel, who won in Singapore, finishing third in a repeat of last year’s top three at Suzuka.

Sunday was Hamilton’s 162nd race, one more than Senna, whose career ended tragically at Imola in 1994.