Jenson Button believes Lewis Hamilton will score an eighth Formula 1 title next year but after that “it gets exciting”.
The Mercedes driver did what few thought possible by matching Michael Schumacher as a seven-time world champion just over a week ago at the Turkish Grand Prix.
And, though Hamilton is yet to re-sign with Mercedes for next year and beyond, his former McLaren teammate is confident, given the lack of rule changes, his fellow Briton will go on and surpass the German legend.
“He wants to win more championships than everyone else, I’m sure,” Button told Sky Sports. “Every driver would love that.
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“Drivers always say ‘We don’t look at numbers, we don’t compare’ but you are always going to compare yourself against Michael Schumacher when you have the same amount of world titles.
“Those two are extraordinary individuals, very different in their personality from the way they go racing but equally as talented. Lewis is in the right place to beat Michael’s record and I really do think he will next year.”
After that, however: “Then the regulations change in 2022 and that’s when it gets really exciting, to see where that takes him and Mercedes for the future,” he added.
Indeed, that year, the combination of a new budget cap, new cars and limited windtunnel time versus their rivals is set to pose the biggest threat to Mercedes’ dominance yet.
But rather than shy away from that challenge, the 2009 world champion expects Hamilton to fully embrace it.
“For next year, it is the same thing for any racing driver,” Button explained. “You want to be more prepared than you were the previous season so I am sure he is going to have a lot of fun over the next few weeks and months.
“When the new season starts, which is only in March, he will be ready to race, he will be at the top of his game and come out of the blocks for that pole position and that victory.
“Next year will be pretty much the same as this year.
“But I really do hope that in 2022 that other teams can challenge Mercedes because it makes for a better sport and I think also Lewis would enjoy that,” the 40-year-old claimed.
“Lewis would enjoy the challenge from the likes of Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, Daniel Ricciardo, and that is really what the sport wants to see – him truly fighting at the front for those victories.”
