1992 Formula 1 champion Nigel Mansell believes Lewis Hamilton can match Michael Schumacher’s seven world titles by 2020 based on his current level of performance.
The Mercedes driver can become a five-time champion as soon on Sunday at the United States Grand Prix should he outscore Sebastian Vettel by eight points at the Circuit of the Americas.
With a fourth crown in five years all but secure, however, Mansell predicts Hamilton’s run of success will only continue.
“Lewis is on a crest of a wave and I predict that within the next couple of years he will get his seventh World Championship,” the ex-Williams driver declared.
“The confidence of winning puts you on another level, and if he keeps his desire I can’t see anyone challenging him next season either.”
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At the start of the weekend in Austin, Fernando Alonso also named the 33-year-old as one of his top five greatest champions but, while Mansell agreed Hamilton’s skill can’t be denied, the Briton did admit making comparisons were tricky.
“Will Lewis go down as one of the greatest drivers of all time? Of course he will, and he should, but times are very different now,” Nigel said.
“I broke my back three times, I broke my neck, and my feet were in bits.
“I believe the great drivers are those that competed with no seatbelts, no crash helmets, and if you were involved in an accident there was a 50-50 chance you would die.”