Hamilton: Cool to match Fangio but Schumacher out of reach

Lewis Hamilton believes he won't be in Formula 1 long enough to equal Michael Schumacher's record of seven world championships.

Speaking in Paris yesterday, where the Mercedes driver was officially crowned by the FIA for his fourth world title, Hamilton delivered a hint about his future F1 plans and his next big personal milestone.

"Matching Fangio could be quite cool, and being that I’m going to be here for at least another couple of years, that’s my goal – to at least try to get that," said Hamilton.

• Hamilton explains why Hungary give-back boosted his motivation

The 32-year-old's contract with Mercedes ends at the end of 2018, but Hamilton's remarks indicate that current renewal discussions of his deal with the German outfit will likely lead to a two-year extension, after which he may call it a day.

Hamilton needs just one more title to catch up with the great Juan Manual Fangio, but Schumacher's tally would remain out of reach.

"I can’t see it at the moment, four more. It has taken me 10 years to achieve this four," he said.

"I don’t have that desire to match it. When I am older and look back, I don’t think the amount of titles I have is going to define what I am as a driver or who I am.

"How I work with the team, how I drive the car, every time I drive the car and extract it from the car – that’s what I feel inside defines me."

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