Lewis Hamilton has admitted he is targeting an eighth F1 world title to surpass Michael Schumacher’s record as he dropped another hint at staying in the sport beyond his current contract, which expires before 2024. Hamilton currently sits alongside Schumacher with seven titles, missing out on his record-breaking eighth in Abu Dhabi last season.
The Briton said he wanted to try and “accomplish” the record and would be “proud” to do so with Mercedes. Speaking ahead of the Italian Grand Prix, he said: “Oh, for sure, it’s a challenge. For me, it’s just winning another World Championship.
“It’s like, every one, I’ve approached it as my first, and the feeling of winning the World Championship, it’s so unique and special in its own way. But of course, the idea that no driver in history has ever gone past seven, of course, you want to try and accomplish that.
“But what I guess, as you get older, you realize the journey is the most important part and the ride that you do with all the people and all the people that you bring with you, and all the people that you try to elevate. There’s an opportunity to elevate lots of people, not only in your team, but with the work that we’re doing, with Mission 44, there’s a much bigger picture to it.
READ MORE: Lewis Hamilton ‘missed the full picture’ with furious radio rant
He explained: “So, I mean, look, for years, we’ll be going around, up and down with stories of retirement and stopping and for me, I feel healthier than I’ve ever felt, as I focus a lot on that, I’m feeling fit. I love what I’m doing – and I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon.
“I think I’ll always be with Mercedes ’til the day I die. And I feel like I can race for quite a bit longer. So, I’ll be potentially steering towards that.”
