Hamilton plans to get stronger
● British star poised for sixth world title
Lewis Hamilton believes he is yet to reach his peak as he prepares to be crowned champion of the world for a sixth time.
Hamilton’s parents have flown from Stevenage to the United States to watch their son’s inevitable coronation, including father Anthony, the driving force behind Lewis’ career – their relationship patched-up after a turbulent period. The British driver needs to finish only eighth in Austin tomorrow to be certain of the title that will move him ahead of Juan Manuel Fangio and within one of Michael Schumacher’s record haul of seven.
Hamilton has won five times on his last seven visits to the Circuit of the Americas. Barring a complete disaster, he will celebrate a fifth championship in six quite astonishing seasons tomorrow night.
Hamilton turns 35 in January – the same age Schumacher
was when he clinched his final title – and the Mercedes star insists he is ready to topple the German’s records, accomplishments many thought would stand the test of time.
“I don’t think I have hit my peak yet,” said Hamilton. “That is comforting. I plan to continue to get stronger. I never thought I would have five titles. I am continuing to create dreams that I didn’t think I would ever have.
“If I am able to get the sixth one it will be unreal. But I am going to be racing for more years and I want to win every
year. Believe me, I will be pushing more than ever in the following seasons.”
Hamilton finished eighth in the opening practice session, using much of the running to trial next year’s tyres. But, in the closing moments, he posted a lap good enough to finish inside the top ten.
Max Verstappen set the early pace, ahead of Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel and Alex Albon in the sister Red Bull. Hamilton finished 1.3 seconds down on Verstappen, while team-mate Valtteri Bottas, the only man who can stop Hamilton from securing this year’s title, ended the running down in 17th.
Bottas, who must win to stand any chance of taking the title fight on to Brazil in a fortnight’s time, also practised on next year’s rubber with Mercedes turning one eye to 2020 and securing a seventh consecutive constructors’ crown.