LEWIS HAMILTON has the chance to equal Michael Schumacher’s record of 91 victories in F1 this weekend – not that he’s shouting about it.
In fact, the six-time world champion – who can also win a Schumacher-equalling seventh title this season – seems more focused on his personal crusades on anti-racism and climate change.
Now 35, Hamilton is more mature than when he won his first title in 2008 and intent on using his social media platforms to educate his 26million followers on Twitter and Instagram.
He said: “I’ve never been a record person but of course when my name is mentioned in the same context as someone I grew up watching, then it’s like ‘woah’.
“I have to step back for a second and realise what that actually means.
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“I think that embarking on these records and achievements creates a platform on which to be able to speak about things that could potentially change peoples lives; for everyone’s children to grow up in a better world.
“As I get older, and understand the world more – as well as the impact that us humans are having on the world.
“I’m really getting into technology that is sustainable; changing things in my life so I can have a more positive impact.
“Trying to think of the bigger picture – we are trying to continue to fight to end racism, and discrimination.
“This is a constant battle that people have been fighting for hundreds of years. It’s a constant battle now.
“Being a Formula One driver gives me a voice to amplify to push for positive changes in the world – even far away from racing.
“Take the current work put into diversity in F1 – it’s something nobody has spoken up about before to this extent.
“As I get older I realise that my purpose is to continue to do that. Racing and winning and breaking records continues to give me the chance to speak up about these things and push for real change.”
Hamilton’s record, particularly in the turbo hybrid era, which started in 2014, a year after he joined Mercedes from McLaren, is hugely impressive.
At the Silver Arrows, he has constantly delivered weekend after weekend and has amassed a total of 90 wins, 96 poles, 159 podiums in just 260 races.
The accusation is that he is only winning because he is driving the best car, but the best drivers always drive the best cars.
The reality is he is making it look easy, even if it isn’t.
In an interview with Monster Energy, he added: “I think people underestimated the time it takes to get to a Grand Prix fully prepared and deliver every time.
“Fans turn on the TV and see you doing your thing for three days, and think that’s all there is to it. But it takes time, intense work and preparation and studying.
“Not to mention the physical and welfare effort for drivers to be in the right state to race.
“There’s a lot more to it than you’d first think. It’s great because now the ability to communicate directly with fans and show them behind the scenes more is helping to change that.”
