Alonso couldn't believe Hamilton's speed: 'But it was like that at the time'

He had to wait a while for it, he had to fight harder than ever this season, but in Russia, the moment was there: Lewis Hamilton took his 100th victory in Formula 1. He needed a late shower to pass Lando Norris, but it is an achievement that deserves nothing but praise and respect.

Michael Schumacher and Verstappen

At ServusTV Former Mercedes boss Norbert Haug is our guest. He too has nothing but praise for the record Hamilton managed to set during the race in Sochi: "Lewis has achieved his 100 wins in 15 years and in 281 World Cup appearances. So on average, he has won almost every third race. Even if he often had the best car in the process: that's extraordinarily remarkable. Ten years ago nobody would have thought that Michael Schumacher's record would ever be overtaken or broken."

Whether Hamilton will follow up this milestone with his 8th world title this year, Haug is not so sure. He also sees that the Mercedes driver has a tough job to do with Max Verstappen: "These guys believe in themselves strongly. If one driver doubts himself, there are immediate opportunities for the other. The real top drivers like Hamilton and Verstappen both have that absolute confidence: nobody beats me."

Fernando Alonso

However, that Hamilton's talent seems to know few limits is something Haug is also convinced of. At his debut in Formula 1, the Briton was able to give his teammate Fernando Alonso, no mean feat either, a hard time: "The best example was set by Fernando Alonso. He just couldn't imagine that a rookie would immediately drive as fast as a two-time world champion, but with Lewis, it was like that at the time."