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LEWIS HAMILTON has the world at his feet having matched Michael Schumacher’s record of seven Formula 1 titles.
The British legend is swarmed with options as his future remains bright and here SunSport looks at what could be next for the champ.

Lewis Hamilton won his seventh world title in Turkey to match Michael Schumacher’s recordCredit: Rex Features
New Contract

The top priority for Hamilton, after allowing his achievement to sink in, is to get his new Mercedes deal signed.
It is likely to be a three-year deal with earnings of around £40million a season, a similar contract to his current one that expires on December 31st.
He will use the time over the next three races in the Middle East to discuss terms with Merc boss Toto Wolff.
Expect less media and sponsorship days to be part of the package – as a seven time world champion, he is in a powerful position to dictate his terms.

The top priority for Lewis Hamilton is to get his new Mercedes deal signedCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Knighthood
Hamilton was quizzed about becoming Sir Lewis. There is no doubt he would welcome a knighthood, but it is not the priority.
He said: “When I think about that honour, I think about people like my grandad who fought in the war, or Captain Tom for what he did.
“Or the people in the hospitals who are saving us during this hardest of times. I think about those unsung heroes.
“I am not a hero. I am not saving anybody. It is an incredible honour that a small group of people have bestowed on them.

“But what I can say is that I am a very proud Brit and it is a special moment to be representing a nation with the flag above your head in P1.”

There is no doubt Hamilton would welcome a knighthoodCredit: PA:Press Association

SPOTY
He has won it before and missed out before.
It is fair to assume that Hamilton’s desire to win over the British public remains as strong as it ever was.
However, there is also an understanding that perhaps he will never enjoy universal support from us Brits.
Perhaps we should not be surprised that an F1 star misses out on the award.
Think of Ryan Giggs beating Jenson Button to the SPOTY Award in 2009.
Like the Knighthood, Hamilton would no doubt love it, but he is also realistic to know that it is not the be all and end all.

It is fair to assume that Hamilton’s desire to win over the British public remains as strong as it ever wasCredit: PA:Press Association
Retirement
Despite claiming to be as fresh as ever, Hamilton is planning for his retirement.
He has made a few investments in property and, given the fortune he has amassed – estimated to be around £225million – he won’t be going hungry.
Whichever way his career takes when he eventually does decide to retire, it is likely to be away from the F1 race track.
He has spent 14 years in F1 so far and has previously stated that he has no interest in being a TV pundit like many others.

Despite claiming to be as fresh as ever, Hamilton is planning for his retirementCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Other interests
Fashion remains a big one for Hamilton but we can also expect a big contribution to his aspirations with music.
He has recently posted a lot about the work he is doing in the studio. He has only just admitted he contributed to singing vocals in Christina Aguilera’s 2018 track ‘Pipe’, appearing as the artist XNDA.
Other projects include being a boss of his own race team.
He has entered a team in the Extreme E racing series that will race in remote parts of the world to highlight problems with climate change.

Fashion remains a big one for HamiltonCredit: Getty – Contributor

Lewis Hamilton wins 7th world title in Turkey to match Michael Schumacher record More

THIS was a typical Hamilton triumph — rain and drama as the Brit conjured up a victory from nothing for his tenth win in 14 grands prix.
Here SunSport looks at six other great wins from his career . . . 

Lewis Hamilton won his tenth grand prix in 14 races in TurkeyCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Hamilton celebrates his seventh world titleCredit: Getty Images – Getty
BRITISH GRAND PRIX, 2008

Hamilton won on home soil in 2008Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

He drove magnificently in the wet for McLarenCredit: PA:Press Association

Hamilton had an incredible debut season with McLaren but he won his first title in 2008.
In the pouring rain at Silverstone, he produced one of the greatest drives in the wet.
His decision to go for intermediate tyres was ballsy and brilliant and when the others needed to stop later on, he was well clear, finishing more than a minute ahead of Nick Heidfeld in second.
CHINESE GP, 2011

Hamilton won in China despite Red Bull’s dominance in 2011Credit: Action Images – Reuters

A three-stop strategy helped him blast through the field in ShanghaiCredit: Action Images – Reuters
He only wins in the best car? Well Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel had the better car on this day.

Hamilton stuck to a three-stop strategy and when he emerged late on with fresh tyres, he blasted through the field. At the time, he rated it as one of his best-ever drives.
HUNGARIAN GP, 2013

Hamilton pops the champers after winning his first race with MercedesCredit: Getty Images – Getty

It was a phenomenal start to life with his new team in BudapestCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Oh, how we questioned what he was doing but at the Hungaroring he finally proved us all wrong, winning his first grand prix for Mercedes.
He took an unlikely pole and worked his car while preserving tyre life, to give his team flexibility to make their pitstops.
GERMAN GP, 2018

Hamilton celebrates with his team after winning in GermanyCredit: AFP or licensors

Hamilton incredibly came from 14th spot to winCredit: AFP or licensors
An unthinkable victory. The day before, in qualifying, his car suffered hydraulic failure.

He started 14th, well behind Vettel’s Ferrari on pole. But as the rain fell, the German crashed out.
Greater drama followed when the Brit made a last-minute decision to cancel a pitstop, while Valtteri Bottas and Kimi Raikkonen stopped for tyres.

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MONACO GP, 2019

Hamilton sprays the bubbly in Monaco last yearCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Hamilton paid tribute to the late F1 legend Niki Lauda Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Hamilton choked back tears as he honoured the memory of F1 legend Niki Lauda, who had died six days earlier.
He took pole but a gamble to use medium tyres left him a sitting duck for Max Verstappen. The Dutchman raced him hard but Hamilton defended like his life depended on it.
PORTUGUESE GP, 2020

Hamilton eclipsed Michael Schumacher’s 91-win record in PortugalCredit: Splash News

Hamilton made his way to the front and held off team-mate Valtteri Bottas Credit: Splash News
The victory that moved him clear of Michael Schumacher’s 91-win record was a typical Hamilton performance.
He kept his cool after a slow start to work his way back to the front. Team-mate Bottas could not catch him, as Hamilton crossed the line an incredible 25.5sec ahead of the Finn.

Lewis Hamilton wins 7th world title in Turkey to match Michael Schumacher record More

THERE was a moment this season that proved Lewis Hamilton is now bigger than Formula One itself.
It was not his record-breaking 92nd win or this, his seventh world crown.

This season Lewis Hamilton hasn’t been afraid to voice his opinionCredit: Getty – Pool

In fact, it was back in March in Melbourne at a press conference.Drivers before him said the FIA were right to press ahead with the race, despite the coronavirus pandemic looming large.
Not Hamilton. When asked why the race was on, he replied cryptically, “Cash is king”.
And he added: “I am really very, very surprised that we are here.
“It is shocking that we are all sitting in this room.”

He was right and, as we now know, the race was cancelled following a positive test in the McLaren team.
Hamilton called it. He stood up and gave his opinion when others had been too afraid to talk negatively against F1.
He’d previously spoken about Donald Trump, environmental causes and racism. And he continues to do so.
Whether you agree with his stances on racism, the environment, veganism or politics, it doesn’t matter.

Hamilton celebrates becoming world champion for a record-equalling seventh timeCredit: Splash News
What matters is he is not afraid to give his opinion.
Over the past few years, he has found his voice and is using his platform as a seven-time F1 champion to speak out and educate those who follow him.
When was the last time a sports star at the very top of their game — and with so much to lose — was confident enough to speak out on a subject without worrying about upsetting a sponsor?
Over the years I have covered his races, I’ve seen the sulks and reported on them. I’ve also got to witness some sensational performances on track.
But this season, it is his off-track work that has made me appreciate Hamilton as the UK’s best sportsman of all-time.
People disagree. I know this because they tell me all the time and Hamilton now knows he will never enjoy the universal support of us Brits.

Lewis Hamilton can lay claim to being the UK’s greatest ever sportsmanCredit: AFP

The reasons? Maybe the accent, maybe the tax debate — for the record he does pay UK tax and is in the country’s top 5,000 payers — or maybe because people feel they cannot identify with an F1 driver.
But like him or not, you have to appreciate the fact that he is willing to say exactly what he thinks.
Yes, he’s damn good at what he does, but he also stands up for what he believes in. And that goes beyond sport. More

LEWIS HAMILTON says his campaign to promote equality means more to him than a seventh world title.
The Brit can equal Michael Schumacher’s record of seven championships in Turkey on Sunday — as long as he finishes ahead of Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas.

Lewis Hamilton says fight for equality means more than a seventh F1 world titleCredit: AP:Associated Press

Hamilton, 35, has been unstoppable during this Covid-hit season, winning nine of the 13 races.
While off the track, he has promoted Black Lives Matter and highlighted inequality and environmental issues across the world.
He has used his platform as Formula One’s most successful driver of all time to help raise awareness — and says that is more special to him than another title.
Hamilton said: “The numbers and the figures and the titles and all that stuff, it perhaps appears to mean more from the outside.

“Watching the TV and watching Michael get the seventh and being like, ‘Wow, that’s seven’.
“But when you’re in it, it’s different. We’re going to continue to fight for more championships, we’re going to continue to try and improve and continue to race and do what we love doing.
“What’s important is that journey. This year has been combined with the fight for equality and learning what’s happening around the world and being a little bit more aware of surroundings.
“Naturally, matching an icon like Michael, I’d be incredibly proud of that. But I think it’s more the message that it sends to people.

“Not just kids but hopefully mostly kids because they’re the future, that you have to dream bigger than you think and don’t let anyone tell you can’t go for that.”

Perhaps, given that the title takes second billing to his work for equality, Hamilton says he is not thinking about matching Schumacher’s total this weekend.
Instead he wants to take it all in his stride knowing  he has a comfortable 85-point margin over Bottas with four races to go.
He added: “I am just focused on trying to do a good job, just taking it one race at a time, trying to do the best we can as a team, not thinking about anything else.
“I have learned not to add pressure that’s unnecessary. I have four races to battle for those points, so I don’t put it all on to one weekend, one day.
“For me, it is another race. I need to approach it exactly as I have in the past.
“Maybe then that’s why sometimes it’s a shock. All of a sudden it hits you because you have not thought about it much and you don’t know what to say, because you never truly know whether it is going to happen.
“I am not focused on the ‘what if?’ I am focused on preparing myself the same as before to try to deliver the way I have all season.”

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Nonetheless it seems a formality — although it could have been a lot different had he not decided to join Mercedes from McLaren in 2013.
Hamilton admits it took some convincing from Ross Brawn and Niki Lauda — who were both working for Mercedes at the time — when they first approached him about signing.
He said: “I had first spoken to Niki. I was back home in Monaco and he’s like, ‘You’ve got to come to the team’. And I wasn’t convinced necessarily at the beginning.
“I think the convincing stage, which really made me look into it more, was when Ross came around my mum’s house and sat in the kitchen and we had tea.
“He showed me what the plan was for the team. That was the real, in-depth insight into what the team was planning and the changes they were trying to do.
“So that was really the ‘selling’ point. With Niki we worked on the layout of the deal.”

Once his seventh title is wrapped up, either this weekend on the outskirts of Istanbul or in the next race in Bahrain, Hamilton will switch his attention to signing a new deal.
It is expected to be a three-year contract worth around £40million a year — but as yet, nothing is signed.
He added: “I am very conscious of the idea I want to continue with Mercedes. I’d love to help them on this quest of pushing for change.
“They are taking their cars green, electrifying more and I want to help them on that road, I want to help them push for diversity.
“There is a lot to discuss and go through but it is something we will do if not after the job is done, then at the end of the year.
“Nothing is set in stone — it is just about talking about it. I don’t feel I’m finished. I don’t feel moving forward . . . there are always areas to improve.
“I love racing and the challenge and I don’t think that is going to change any time soon.”

Hamilton branded the Turkish track as ‘s**t with a capital S’Credit: EPA
Hamilton’s title-winning hopes got off to a slippery start in yesterday’s practice.
With no running since being resurfaced, the track was thick with dust, meaning the drivers were left struggling for grip.
Hamilton sat out a large chunk of first practice as others tiptoed their way around, while in the afternoon session, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen topped the time-sheets.
Charles Leclerc was second quickest for Ferrari, with Bottas third and Hamilton fourth.

Hamilton said: “It was a bit of a disaster today.
“This track is such a fantastic circuit and I don’t fully understand why they spent millions to re-do the surface of a track.
“They could have cleaned it instead of wasting their money and now the track is worse than Portimao.
“So for us, the tyres aren’t working and you see it.
“It is like an ice rink out there, so you don’t get the enjoyment of the lap out there and I don’t see that change there.
“It is terrifying the whole way around. It is like having wet patches the whole way around and I guess the oil is seeping from the Tarmac.
“It is s**t with a capital S.”

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