Yesterday, we witnessed probably the greatest sporting achievement in British sporting history. Lewis Hamilton equalled Michael Schumacher’s seemingly unassailable record of seven world championships. Add to that record numbers of Grand Prix wins (94), podiums (163) and polls (97) and you have a true champion of champions who must be the Greatest Ever Formula 1 driver.

He has done this from humble beginnings, a black man in a rich, white man’s sport, with style and panache and a keen sense of fair play. He has always been a clean driver who can never be accused of taking a rival out to gain an advantage. He has developed over the years, starting off, like Max Verstappen now, capable of hair-raising overtakes and wonderfully skilful in the wet, to the ultimate race strategist with an astonishingly sensitive touch, and tyre protector he is now. Throughout, his performances are remarkable for the paucity of mistakes. He has always made fewer than his opponents.

It is often said he is only the best because he has the best car, but only the best drivers find their way into the best cars and only the truly exceptional manage to stay there. However, he has regularly » Continue Reading.