F1's latest four-time champion believes he could get close to Schumacher's record 91 wins; Hamilton's chase for win 63 begins in Brazilian GP Qualifying at 4pm live only on Sky Sports F1
Thursday 16 November 2017 10:44, UK
Lewis Hamilton believes he is capable of continuing to win in F1 "for a long time" as he starts to plot the next phase of his career fresh from winning his fourth world title.
Hamilton's first race as a four-time champion comes in Sunday's Brazilian GP, with the Mercedes driver set to start as favourite for pole position and victory after a near-flawless performance in Friday practice saw him top both sessions.
Having now exceeded his career target of winning three titles to match his hero Ayrton Senna, Hamilton says he just wants to continue winning races - knowing every fresh success will bring him ever closer to Michael Schumacher's all-time mark of 91 victories.
"I think I can continue winning for a long, long time," said Hamilton, who goes in search of his 63rd career win in Sunday's Interlagos race live only on Sky Sports F1 at 4pm. Qualifying begins at the same time on Saturday.
"I guess ultimately it depends if the fight remains within me.
"It is there now but I still don't really have the desire to chase Michael, although I'm a lot closer than I ever was.
"I think before it felt so distant getting 91 wins and now, it's still a long way off, but it's not impossible to think I could potentially get somewhere near."
Hamilton expects close battle
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Only Schumacher and 1950s great Juan-Manuel Fangio have won more world titles in F1 history than Hamilton, while the Englishman took the sport's pole position and front-row records earlier this season.
He is also second to Schumacher for wins and podium finishes.
"I'm really just grateful to be up there amongst the real, real greats," said Hamilton, who is now Britain's most successful F1 driver outright.
"Not only amongst them but standing up there with them with the four titles, with the pole positions [record], and that's something I'm really, really proud."
Hamilton, who turns 33 in January and has been in the sport since 2007, has one more season left on his current Mercedes deal but is expected to agree an extended term for at least an additional two years.
"I've got at least one more year in me - probably more - and have every plan to win more races, so we'll see how it goes," he added.
