Hamilton presented with Schumacher F1 helmet after record-equalling win
Hamilton gave Schumacher helmet after 91st victory
Lewis Hamilton was awarded one of Michael Schumacher's Formula 1 racing helmets after setting his record of 91 Grand Prix victories on Sunday at the Nürburgring.
Hamilton recovered from second qualifying and subsequent Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas and won the Eifel Grand Prix after taking the lead shortly before the first lap of pit stops.
A late safety car gave Red Bulls Max Verstappen a chance to catch Hamilton, but the Mercedes driver never saw the risk of losing the race and recorded his seventh win of the season.
The result was a tie between Hamilton and Schumacher's record of 91 race wins since his last win at the 2006 Chinese Grand Prix.
To honor this success, Schumacher's son, Formula 2 driver Mick Schumacher, presented one of his 2012 Mercedes F1 racing helmets to Hamilton.
"I'm honored I don't even know what to say," said Hamilton.
"When you grow up and watch someone and generally adore them, really only in terms of the quality of the driver, but what he can do with his team year after year, race after race and week after week.
"I don't think anyone, and especially me, couldn't imagine that if I saw his dominance for so long, I'd be anywhere near Michael in terms of records.
"So it's an incredible honor and it will take me some time to get used to it."
Hamilton had regularly knocked down questions about the significance of the record in the run-up to the weekend, admitting he didn't realize he'd met Schumacher until he stepped into the pit lane and saw the easy hoarding.
"To be honest, when I got into the pit lane I realized I was the same." Hamilton said.
Hamilton gave Schumacher helmet after 91st victory
"I didn't even calculate it when I crossed the line, so I wouldn't have made it without this incredible team."
"Everyone pushed on behind me and gave her everything. So a very big thank you and big, big respect."
Hamilton got off to a good start and went from wheel to wheel with Bottas in the first corner. Both Mercedes drivers ran a long way before Bottas got the cut back in Turn 2.
"We got off to a good start when we stepped up alongside Valtteri and we both understeered on the first corner so obviously I tried to give him as much space as possible," said Hamilton.
"Then he was in my blind spot so I didn't know where he was after that. I moved out so far that he came back, he did a great job.
"I remember coming out of that corner and thinking, 'Good to you man. I'm impressed, that was good.'"
Hamilton then took the lead on lap 13 when Bottas locked up at Turn 1 and ran far and would stay at the front of the field until the end of the race.
"I just had to make sure I tried to hold onto him for as long as possible," said Hamilton.
"I managed to take care of my tires really well where I could see he was making his front tire grainy. So I knew the next few laps would be the time for me to push and then he got the ban .
"But it wasn't an easy race at all. The Red Bulls are so fast. Max drove very well. I think the only place and chance he had was at the restart, but I managed to pull back and get one to draw a nice gap. "
"But you can see their pace at the end. We have a serious fight on our hands."
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