Andretti 'all in' on Hamilton beating Schumacher record

©COTA

Motorsport legend Mario Andretti is confident Lewis Hamilton will surpass in the future Michael Schumacher's record of seven F1 world championship titles.

Schumacher's feat, achieved with Benetton and Ferrari between 1994 and 2004, seemingly put the German out of reach in F1's record books.

But Hamilton's consistent ability to perform, year in and year out since his F1 debut in 2007, has put him within touching distance of equaling Schumacher's.

As a big fan of the Briton, Andretti is convinced the Mercedes star can go beyond the German's extraordinary milestone.

Hamilton's 'necessity to sacrifice' a legacy of my guidance - Dennis

"Well, when you look at Formula 1, obviously [Hamilton’s] record speaks for itself," Andretti told Yahoo Sport.

"He’s young enough that he can probably become the all-time winningest. It’s a record that I never thought anyone would come close to, a record that’s owned by Michael Schumacher, of course."

However, while Andretti's admiration for Hamilton's own track record is immense, the 1978 F1 world champion admits the 35-year-old has always been armed with a winning car throughout his career.

"Lewis has always had competitive cars," he added. "I don’t remember in his Formula 1 career whether, if at any time, he was with a non-winning potential car.

"He did his job and he keeps doing it, so I’m all in. Obviously I’ve always been a fan of his and he’s, I’m sure, the envy of many other drivers.

"He has the equipment and he’s making the most of it and that’s what a driver’s supposed to do."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.