The Schumacher records that Hamilton can break before becoming the greatest F1 driver in history

Lewis Hamilton is a British F1 driver. He began karting in 1993 and won a number of races and cadet class champions. Photo: Jen Ross/Flickr

There’s no denying the infinite talent and ferocious speed possessed by Lewis Hamilton: the seventh Formula 1 world title he won at the tail-end of November 2020 is testament to that. His most recent triumph also puts him on a par with Michael Schumacher - the most successful driver in history - and now means Hamilton, still just 36 years old, is in prime position to become the first driver to ever have eight world titles to their name.

Hamilton has won six out of the last seven championships, catapulting him to super-stardom status, and forever etching his rampant Mercedes W-hybrid F1 car into automotive folklore. With no clear competition in sight, we take a look at a few of the records left standing by Schumacher that Hamilton can topple this forthcoming season, as he sprints his way to a historic achievement:

• Most consecutive Drivers’ championships: Schumacher is on five. Lewis can match that this year, before going one better in 2022.

• Most wins in a single season: Schumacher won 11 straight races in 2004. Hamilton is currently on nine: he can break this record if he wins in Bahrain, Italy, and finally Spain.

• Most fastest laps: Schumacher has 77 fastest laps, and whilst Lewis is second with 53, he’s got some way to go with this one.

• Most wins at one Grand Prix: Tied with Schumacher on eight, Hamilton can make it nine at either the Hungarian, Canadian, or British legs of the World Championship.