The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Hamilton very high fives
Briton set to clinch fifth world title 2,200 metres above sea level
Lewis Hamilton says his imminent fifth Formula One world title is only the beginning as he declared: “I’ve still got plenty more to do.”
The 33-year-old Mercedes star can clinch the title in Mexico City tomorrow, with a seventh-place finish enough to seal the deal.
Ferrari’s under-fire Sebastian Vettel must win at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez to stand any chance of stopping Britain’s Hamilton from taking the spoils.
And the omens for him are not good.
The German has never finished on the Mexico podium in three attempts.
Hamilton’s extra-curricular activities away from the track are well known.
Only on Wednesday was he busy promoting his Tommy Hilfiger fashion collection in the Mexican capital but he insists his desire to race in Formula One remains greater than ever.
He is set to match Juan Manuel Fangio’s collection of world titles. Only Michael Schumacher, who won the last of his seven titles aged 35, will then stand in Hamilton’s way of becoming the greatest driver of all time.
Hamilton will be the same age as the German when his £40 million-a- year Mercedes deal expires at the end of 2020.
He started his championship ball rolling in 2008 with McLaren, before waiting six years to claim his second after upping sticks to Mercedes. Yet his expected fifth championship will be Hamilton’s fourth in five quite remarkable seasons.
“It do feel like I have got quite a lot more to do,” he said.
“I waited a long time to win my second title and I could have easily stayed at McLaren. I would be sitting here now with one championship. I probably wouldn’t be sitting here at all to be honest.
“The journey has been interesting and the decisions I have taken. But I am very grateful for the route I am on and I feel incredibly fortunate to be in the position I am in.”
The thin air of the highaltitude track, 2,200 metres above sea level, acts as an engine leveller and is expected to bring Red Bull, and last year’s winner Max Verstappen into play.