Formula 1 basically confirmed what we already knew
By Asher Fair
Formula 1 accidentally congratulated Lewis Hamilton on his 90th career victory after he took his 94th career pole position for the Italian Grand Prix.
If Formula 1 happened to be looking to save the fans two hours on Sunday, they sure gave it their best effort on Saturday.
As everyone has come to expect this season, Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas swept the front row in qualifying for the Italian Grand Prix at Autodromo Nazionale Monza, with the former on pole yet again.
The Silver Arrows have now secured six front row sweeps in a row, and Hamilton has taken the pole position for six of the last seven races. He had just five poles throughout all of last year, despite having a career year in many other major statistical categories.
More from Formula One
- Formula 1: Top Red Bull threat identified for 2024
- Formula 1: Why the Max Verstappen retirement obsession?
- Formula 1: Williams ‘mistake’ hints Logan Sargeant’s future
- Formula 1 awaiting key confirmation for 2024 season
- Formula 1: The ‘championship’ Max Verstappen only leads by 3 points
The six-time world champion’s pole position for Sunday’s 53-lap race around the 11-turn, 3.6-mile (5.794-kilometer) road course in Monza, Italy was the 94th of his career, by far the all-time record.
Seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher sits in second place on the all-time list with 68.
But it wasn’t the predictability of the session that could save fans time later today. Instead of congratulating the 35-year-old Briton on yet another P1 start, Formula 1 went a step further and declared him the winner of the race by congratulating on his 90th career victory in a graphic they aired after the checkered flag flew.
In all fairness, it does seem inevitable.
Hamilton has won five of the last six races, including two in a row, and enters the Italian Grand Prix as the overwhelming favorite. He has dominated the world championship battle through seven races of the 17-race season.
A 90th victory for Hamilton in today’s race would put him on pace to tie Schumacher’s record of 91 in next Sunday’s Tuscan Grand Prix at Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello.
But don’t be surprised if they congratulate him on tying the record beforehand.
Top 10 Formula 1 drivers of all-time. dark. Next
The Italian Grand Prix is set to be broadcast on ESPN live from Autodromo Nazionale Monza beginning at 9:10 a.m. ET later this morning. The Tuscan Grand Prix is set to be broadcast at the same time on the same channel from Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello next Sunday, September 13.