Hamilton took the lead from his Mercedes teammate and polesitter Valtteri Bottas early in the 60-lap race at the famous German circuit and dominated proceedings without serious challenge from second-placed Max Verstappen in the Red Bull.
Bottas retired through loss of engine power, leaving the way clear for Australian Daniel Ricciardo to claim the final podium spot with Sergio Perez of Mexico fourth in the Racing Point.
The seventh victory of a truncated season for Britain’s Hamilton has taken him 69 points clear of Bottas in the championship race and well on course to win his seventh world title to bring him level with another of Schumacher’s all-time records.
In a poignant moment, Hamilton was presented with one of the German legend’s helmets by his son Mick, who had been set to make his own F1 debut before Friday’s practice session was canceled due to fog.
“Thank you so much,” he told him.
“It’s such an honor. I don’t know what to say. When you grow up watching someone and idolizing them. What he was able to continuously do.
“I hadn’t even computed it when I crossed the line. I couldn’t have done this without this incredible team pushing behind me. So a big thank you and huge respect to Michael,” he added.
Verstappen, tipped to be a future world champion, had the consolation of setting the fastest lap to close to within 14 points of Bottas in the title race.
His best chance came after a late safety car gave him the chance to close up again, but Hamilton was quick to race clear when it pulled off.
“The Mercedes was just a little bit too fast for us but I managed to get that fastest lap for the extra point so I’m happy with that. We finished second, which was where we belonged,” said Verstappen.
