LEWIS HAMILTON can win his sixth world title tomorrow and has set his sights on becoming Formula One’s GOAT.
Hamilton can retain his crown in the US GP by finishing in the top eight, irrespective of what his teammate, Valtteri Bottas does.
Hamilton is closing on Schumacher’s total of seven world titlesCredit: Getty Images – Getty
It would move him clear in second-place in the all-time list of multiple world champions, just one behind Michael Schumahcer.
And in an ominous warning to F1 upstarts, Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen, the 34-year-old says he is not even at his peak yet.
Speaking in Austin ahead of this weekend’s US GP, Hamilton is oozing in confidence and buoyed by F1’s vision for the future, After they revealed their rulebook for 2021 and beyond, Hamilton is now licking his lips at the prospect of becoming the greatest of all time.
When quizzed by SunSPORT how many titles he feels he can win, Hamilton said: “I never thought I would have five titles.
“I’m already continuing to achieve dreams that I didn’t think I would have.
“I feel privileged to have the five I have. If I get the sixth, it would be pretty unreal.
“But naturally, I’m going to be racing for more years — I want to win every year. But it’s not always the case. Some people don’t even have one.
“But I don’t think I have hit peak yet. So that’s comforting. I plan to continue to get stronger.
“Who knows what the future holds. I’ll be pushing more than ever in these following years.
“I always love a challenge. This team has shown that they are better prepared and in the best position to be able to react to rule changes.
“But I’m planning to be here so naturally at some point next year my mindset will be to switch into 2021 and wanting to be the pioneer for that era.
“Nothing is set in stone for the future but I’m definitely enjoying what I’m doing and I don’t see any reason to stop as I love what I do.
The British superstar has admitted he loves racing for MercedesCredit: AP:Associated Press
“I don’t see myself going anywhere else. I love being here at Mercedes, I love being part of the brand, I love being part of the history.”
Hamilton’s achievements in F1 are quite remarkable. He has 83 wins in 247 races, 149 podiums and 87 pole positions.
Not only is he closing in on Schumacher’s total of seven world titles, he rapidly approaching his record of 91 wins in F1.
Unsurprisingly then, he already sees himself in a class of one taking inspiration from Tiger Woods and Serena Williams instead.
He added: “I don’t try and compare myself to anybody. I’m a fan of a lot of great athletes out there doing great things and it’s inspiring to see the great things.
“Watching Tiger recently after everyone wrote him off years and years ago and said he’s never going to win again, it’s been incredible to see him come back.
“It just shows you how much of a great athlete he is. That’s inspiring. You see like Serena and her success, having to go through difficult times.
“It’s exciting to see her coming back strong in the future. But I don’t compare myself to anyone, even here. I’m different and unique in my own way. I’m trying to create my own history and my own goals.” While he might never get the universal respect his achievements deserve, Hamilton has gone about his championships in a dignified way.
He has kept it clean, resisting the temptation to race dirty, as displayed by Schuamcher and Ayrton Senna, something he is proud of.
He said: “I grew up watching that and seeing certain things happen on track.
Hamilton has warned the likes of Charles Leclerc that he is not even at his peak yetCredit: Getty Images – Getty
“I’ve always wanted to do it the right way, win it the right way, through sheer hard work and ability.
“I try to stick by that. It doesn’t mean I’m perfect in any shape or form but I definitely would like to think I’m proud of the tally I had and the way I approach racing in the respectful manner that I have.
“Ultimately that is up to people to reflect how good it is. That is not going to change, that’s how my dad raised me to race.”
Max Verstappen recently branded Lewis Hamilton as “disrespectful”Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Lewis Hamilton gets boxing tips from Julio Cesar Chavez ahead of Mexican GP
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
