Hamilton and Mercedes set new records in 2018

Aldo Costa, the man who made Schumacher and has now made Hamilton, by designing superior race cars. Both were excellent drivers, but in F1, the car is 99% of the equation

With his eleventh win of the season in Abu Dhabi, Lewis equaled his 2014 tally of victories – the first hybrid season. What’s more, the 408 points he scored in 2018 constitute a new record for a Formula One season.

This was previously held by Sebastian Vettel for his 397 points in 2013. It was also the year in which Vettel matched Michael Schumacher’s 2004 tally of 13 victories.

A further record that Lewis set at the Yas Marina Circuit was that for most wins by an engine manufacturer.

Lewis has spent his entire Formula One career driving Mercedes-powered cars, first at McLaren (2007 â€' 2012) and then for the works team (since 2013).

With his 73rd Mercedes victory on Sunday, he surpassed the 72 mark registered by Schumacher in Ferrari-powered cars (1996 – 2006). Lewis is now looking to close the 18-win deficit on Schumacher’s record of 91 Grand Prix victories.

In July 2018 it was announced that Aldo Costa would step down from his role as designer/engineering director at the end of the season, and become an adviser. He cited a need to spend more time in his native Italy. Ferrari would be wise to steal him back from Mercedes.

Aldo Costa F1 Drivers and Constructors Titles – #1 Engineer in history of Formula 1