Hamilton breaks two Schumacher records - and equals another

Before Max Verstappen re-wrote most of it in 2023, you could usually find either Lewis Hamilton or Michael Schumacher at the top of the record charts. 

Whilst Schumacher has seen most of his records taken by either Hamilton or Verstappen over the past few seasons including most wins, most wins in a season, career podiums and Hamilton also equalled the German's tally of seven world titles. 

But one area Schumacher still reigned supreme was in fastest laps - with a host of related records to that also being held - but during the Monaco Grand Prix, he lost one such record to Hamilton - who also equalled another.

In an attempt to undercut Verstappen for sixth place, Hamilton stopped on Lap 51 to trade his worn medium tyres for hards, but could not get ahead of the Red Bull. 

As the two then settled down, on Lap 63 of 78, Hamilton pumped in a 1:14.165 to record the fastest lap and earn the bonus point for his first since the 2023 Mexico City Grand Prix.

In doing so, Hamilton set his 54th fastest lap as a Mercedes driver - eclipsing the 53 Schumacher set at Ferrari between 1996 and 2006. Verstappen is third on the 'most fastest laps with the same team' list with 32.

Having set his first fastest lap of the season, Hamilton also set a fastest lap for the 15th consecutive season, the run beginning in 2010. 

This equals Schumacher's run of fastest laps between 1992 and his Ferrari retirement in 2006.

However, the Monaco fastest lap also hands Hamilton the record of most seasons with a fastest lap overall with 17. Only in the 2009 season where he was defending world champion has he failed to set a fastest lap in his career.

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The out-right record

Hamilton's Monaco fastest lap was the 66th overall in his career, as he edges towards the out-right record of 77 Schumacher posted in his career. 

Given Hamilton and Verstappen have either taken joint or sole possession of most of the major F1 records, it is one of the few that Schumacher does currently hold for himself. 

Hamilton is now just 12 fastest laps from taking the record from Schumacher, with his last 12 fastest laps coming since the 2021 Monaco GP.