Lewis Hamilton says he’s still amazed by the thought of matching his idol, Ayrton Senna, on wins and championships – both of which could happen this season for the Briton.
The Mercedes driver, speaking ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix where both he and Senna finished second on their debut, is hoping to add another win to his tally of 36, taking him one step closer to Senna’s 41 wins.
“When I started watching Ayrton, he was the one that caught my eye and really brought me to the sport,” recalled Hamilton.
STATS: SENNA VS HAMILTON
Senna: 3 titles, 162 races, 41 wins, 80 podiums, 65 pole positions, 19 fastest laps
Hamilton: 2 titles, 153 races, 36 wins, 75 podiums, 42 pole positions, 23 fastest laps
“It’s insane to think that, all those years back – and I remember exactly where it was that I started watching my first grands prix, with bacon sandwiches on the cream sofa at my dad’s – who would have known, back then, that, as a family, we would be where we are today.”
Whilst Hamilton is nearing Senna’s achievements, he says it’s too soon in the season to begin talking about matching the Brazilian’s three titles.
“It is far too early to talk about [a third title], but winning the world championship [again] is obviously the goal,” he said.
“I always said, from when I was very young, that I wanted to emulate Ayrton, so to even be in the position where I am close to achieving the same level of wins or world championships hasn’t really sunk in.”
