Formula 1's Managing Director of Motorsport, Ross Brawn believes Lewis Hamilton could potentially threaten Michael Schumacher's record of seven world titles after claiming his fourth last weekend in Mexico.

The Briton was one of the influential members of the Ferrari team that the German legend was a part when he won five straight championships between 2000 and 2004 in addition to his two titles with Benetton in 1994 and 1995.

He was also team boss when Hamilton made his move from McLaren to Mercedes in 2013, a switch which has seen him win the crown three times in the five years he has been at the German manufacturer.

Congratulating the 32-year-old on his latest achievement, Brawn said: “Lewis deserved this title, the fourth of his incredible career. For much of the season he was chasing the leader, but after the summer break, he found another gear.

"It's true that the way in which he clinched the crown in Mexico was unusual, it's not often a title comes your way when you've been lapped," he added. "However, I have personal experience of the fact that, as you approach the final small step, it can actually prove more difficult than the previous ones. It was probably one of those cases."

Brawn also pointed to his run of five wins in seven races since August as proof of his standing among the best drivers ever to step in an F1 car.

"It's not just a fourth title that promotes Lewis to the level of the greatest in our sport, the Schumacher's, Senna's and Fangio's. It's the way he drove this year that really impressed me, especially in recent races," he commented.

“Even when his car was not at 100% he was able to produce some amazing drives, so really, congratulations to him for a superb achievement."

With Mercedes likely to remain strong contenders for the title in the coming years and Hamilton keen to continue and test himself against the rising stars, Brawn does see a path that could see the British driver become a seven-time champion.

"I think they are," he told Sky Sports on if Schumacher's records are under threat. "When that happened I couldn't imagine it being beaten but looking at the way that Lewis is performing they could be."

On his future, Lewis has revealed he expects a new deal, reportedly worth $120m over three years which would take him 2021, to be completed soon.

“It is quite an easy process for us,” Hamilton said. “We already have something in place and it’s really just about extending it and enhancing it, working on what more I can do for them, for the sponsors, the brand and vice versa.

“But I’m pretty sure within the next month or so we will have had time to have sat down. Now all the pressure is off, we can go and enjoy these next couple of races.”