Schumi still the star with 7, says Lewis

Mexico City, Oct. 29: Lewis Hamilton on Monday deflected all suggestions that he might be the greatest Formula One driver of all time, saying that seventime champion Michael Schumacher remains the man who most deserves that label.

Hamilton’s achievement drew him level with the sport’s ‘ godfather’ Juan Manuel Fangio on five titles with only German Schumacher ahead on seven. Schumacher, with 91, also has more race victories, another target for Hamilton during the two remaining years of his current Mercedes contract.

But the Englishman put such statistical ambitions into a distant perspective when he adopted a modest role on his own triumphant career. “Firstly, I could never personally classify myself as the best,” said Hamilton.

“Obviously, within myself, I know my abilities and where I stand, but ultimately, as my dad always told me since I was eight years old — he said ‘ do your talking on the track’.

“But Michael’s still quite far ahead in race wins so you have to say he is still the GOAT ( greatest of all time),” he said, adding, “Michael was just such a genius in how he implemented himself into Ferrari and what he did with that team. I will always be a fan of him.”

“I’ve been with Mercedes since I was 13 and to complete this is an incredible feeling and it is very surreal to me at the moment,” he said. — AFP