• Hamilton could clinch fourth championship in Mexico on Sunday • ‘People will say he is on track to being the best driver that has ever existed’

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

Lewis Hamilton is on course to become the greatest Formula One driver of all, according to the Mercedes executive director, Toto Wolff.

Hamilton, who holds a 66-point lead over Sebastian Vettel with three F1 races remaining, will earn another shot at world championship glory in Mexico City on Sunday.

After storming to victory in the United States, Hamilton needs to finish only fifth to become the first British driver to surpass Sir Jackie Stewart and claim four F1 championships.

Lewis Hamilton eyes fourth title after showing composure and maturity | Giles Richards Read more

The 32-year-old has been in sensational form – winning five of the six races since the summer break – and surpassing Michael Schumacher’s pole position record at the Italian Grand Prix in September.

A fourth championship would still leave Hamilton some distance off Schumacher’s record haul of seven titles but Wolff believes his driver warrants greater recognition for his already remarkable career.

“Lewis is about to break all records that have been set in Formula One and it is just a matter of time that people will say he is on track to being the best driver that has ever existed,” Wolff said.

Quick guide How Lewis Hamilton can seal F1 title Show Hide Current standings After winning the US Grand Prix, Hamilton has 331 points. Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel is the only driver who can catch him, but with 265 points he is 66 points behind Hamilton with 75 left to play for What Hamilton needs in Mexico • Hamilton will clinch the title by finishing fifth or higher in Mexico City even if Vettel wins the race • If Vettel finishes second, Hamilton needs to place ninth or higher • Hamilton is guaranteed the title if Vettel finishes third or lower Points available per race 1st place: 25

2nd: 18

3rd: 15

4th: 12

5th: 10

6th–10th: 8, 6, 4, 2, 1



The season's remaining races • 29 October: Mexico

• 12 November: Brazil

• 26 November: Abu Dhabi

“The high performers often polarise because they have strong opinions and they express those. You don’t want to be down the middle and boring, and in today’s day and age if you polarise you stand out. Lewis stands out.

“Those sport icons that polarise eventually get the credit but maybe after their career ends. This is the best Lewis – both on and off the track – that I have worked with since 2013.”

Following his victory in Austin last Sunday, Hamilton attributed his impressive form – most notably in the second half of the campaign – to Nico Rosberg’s departure from Mercedes.

Hamilton’s rivalry with Rosberg became so strained in the three years which they fought for the championship they could not even exchange pleasantries.

And while Wolff admits a sense of regret over Hamilton’s hostile relationship with Rosberg, did the Mercedes chief agree that the German’s sudden retirement was in fact a blessing in disguise?

“In hindsight all things happen for a reason,” said Wolff, whose Mercedes team celebrated their fourth consecutive constructors’ championship in Austin.

“So, looking back at the season and the structure we now have with Lewis and Valtteri Bottas – which has benefitted our overall team’s performance and the drivers’ performance – then yes.

“There is a certain regret we could not make it less controversial but it is down to the dynamics between the drivers and the personalities and maybe things we are not aware of.

“It was certainly a factor that they were both on the same level and competing for the world championship but it was more a factor that there was also too much baggage from the past.”