Lewis Hamilton says he still considers Michael Schumacher the greatest Formula 1 driver of all time after moving closer to the seven-times champion’s record achievement.

Hamilton, who replaced Schumacher at Mercedes in 2013, followed his predecessor by becoming the third driver in F1 history to win five world championship titles. The first was Juan Manuel Fangio

Hamilton is two shy of Schumacher’s tally of seven titles and 20 race wins away from equalling Schumacher’s record of 91.

Asked following his championship victory today whether he now considers himself F1’s ‘GOAT’ – the greatest of all time – Hamilton said that accolade still belongs to Schumacher.

“Michael’s still quite far ahead in race wins so you have to say he’s still the ‘GOAT’,” said Hamilton.

“Fangio I think is the godfather and always will be from a driver’s perspective. To do what he did in that time where it was so dangerous, I respect him so highly. I feel a great honour to have my name alongside his, that’s for sure.

“I’m naturally just very proud to have the Hamilton name up there. The Hamilton name will always be there. If you could see how tough it was for us in the beginning – even this year still fighting and still becoming stronger each year – I feel like I’m still driving with that fierce fire I had when I was eight years old.

“So I’ll keep going until that goes. Which I don’t think is every going to go, but I’m probably going to run out at some stage.”

Hamilton said he has many goals outside F1 but winning the world championship means the most to him.

“I’ve still got things to achieve, still so many targets, so many things ahead,” he said. “If I can tick off one of the things on my list each year it’s always at the top, winning the world title. I give everything for that.”

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2018 F1 season