The seven-time world champion, who has a record 103 wins, will become the sixth driver to complete 300 starts when he lines up on the grid in France on Sunday.

Finn Kimi Raikkonen crashed out last year after a record 349 races but without a win since 2018.

While it’s been almost a decade since the Spaniard Fernando Alonso (344) won.

Brazilian Rubens Barrichello (323 races), former Ferrari teammate and seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher (307) and England’s Jenson Button (306) retired well after their last win.

The Mercedes driver Hamilton did not pay attention to these statistics.

He made his McLaren debut in 2007 with Alonso as a team-mate and the Spaniard, the two-time world champion now with Renault’s Alpine, sat together on Thursday.

“He already had talent in 2007 and he still has that talent now, with experience. He was an incredible rider, a legend in our sport,” Alonso said.

“It’s always a pleasure to share all this time with him.” said Alonso.

“At the time, maybe nobody thought someone would be able to win seven titles like Michael, but yeah. It’s been a great journey… and hopefully another victory will be soon.” said Alonso.

Hamilton says his former team-mate, now 40, is perhaps his toughest opponent, even if comparisons are tough and reflect different stages of life.

“I remember working with Fernando when I was 22, I was very young mentally…a lot of pressure to play against a great player like him, so I would say Fernando with pure speed and ability,” Hamilton said. .

“We had some good battles, I wish we had more. I hope he keeps racing and we will have many more in the future.” said Hamilton.

Hamilton highlights three of his first races in Australia, his first win in Canada in 2007 and his first home Grand Prix at Silverstone.***