Lewis Hamilton admits attempting to match Michael Schumacher's total of seven Formula 1 world championships isn't really a motivation for the remainder of his career.

On Friday, the Mercedes driver officially claimed the fourth title he won in Mexico in October when he was awarded the trophy at the FIA prize-giving gala in Paris, reaching that total at the same age, 32, as the German legend was back in 2001.

And though his team is currently in the midst of a run of success comparable to that of Schumacher and Ferrari in the early 2000's, the growing competition plus the likelihood of only having at least three more years on the grid means Hamilton doesn't see reaching seven or higher as an attainable goal.

“I can’t see it at the moment,” said the Briton talking to the media before Friday's ceremony. “Four more? It’s taken me 10 years to achieve these four… I don’t know - I still don’t currently have that desire to match it.

“Matching [Juan Manuel] Fangio could be quite cool,” he added, referring to the Argentinian five-time F1 champion “and being that I’m going to be here for at least another couple of years, that’s my goal – to at least try to get that.”

This year Hamilton would break a number of records en route to his fourth title, including surpassing Schumacher's record for most pole positions, while proud of what he has accomplished, Lewis claims he won't judge his legacy in F1 by the statistics.

“I don’t think the amount of titles that I have, when I’m older and I look back, I don’t think that’s really going to define who I am as a driver," he said. “I think how I’ve worked with the team, how I’ve driven the car, how every time I drive a car I extract it [performance], that for me is what I feel inside defines me.”

Mercedes Motorsport boss Toto Wolff admits the chance to go on and match the success achieved by Ferrari during the Michael Schumacher days does act as an "objective" for the German manufacturer to achieve.

This season, new design rules meant the gap over their rivals, particularly Ferrari, was much smaller than in recent years, however, it wouldn't be enough as the Silver Arrows secured both championships for the fourth straight year with the Scuderia, led by Sebastian Vettel, stumbling shortly after the summer break.

That success meant they also matched the achievement of Red Bull at the start of the decade but, using history as the precedent, Wolff sees no reason why his team can't push on.

"Winning becomes more difficult with every single year. I guess we will see a fight between Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull Racing and maybe McLaren-Renault will join us in the title fight," he told the official F1 website, looking ahead to 2018.

"That is an exciting outlook for the fans but, of course, we want to make the right calls over the winter,  minimize our mistakes and then go racing. If you win you know that you have done a good job!

"I have great respect for what Jean Todt achieved," he added referring to the 11 titles he won as Ferrari Team Principal between 1999 and 2004. "And yes, it is an interesting objective.

"To achieve something like that, it is a team effort – setting the right objectives. Such success is never a single man’s achievement and yes, we have set objectives for the team and we are motivated to achieve them."

What was impressive too, was how the Brackley-based team kept pushing to address the weaknesses which sometimes saw them drop behind Ferrari and Red Bull at certain races.

It is that ability which has Managing Director of Motorsport at the Formula One Group, Ross Brawn concerned that Mercedes could once again dominate next season.

“They’ve got a great group of people, but my slight worry is that they will get even stronger now,” he told ESPN. “They’ve had a change of senior management – Paddy Lowe left and James Allison came – and that was in the middle of a car [design] change, which is not easy.

“By their own admission, the car they had this year was a bit of a diva and I strongly suspect that’s not going to be the case next year. So I just see – unfortunately in many ways – a continuation of the steamroller. Let’s hope I’m wrong!”

Yusuke Hasegawa will move on to a position inside the Honda organisation after January 1st, with the Japanese manufacturer splitting his position of Head of Formula 1 project into two separate roles.

Hasegawa took charge of the operation shortly before the start of the 2016 season after unhappiness between McLaren and his predecessor Yasuhisa Arai, a reasonable year followed though still well short of expectations but that all changed again in 2017 when a flawed overhaul of the engine put Honda months behind schedule.

With finishing a race proving the main challenge let alone doing so competitively, it would be the final straw as, in September, the British team confirmed they would be splitting and start using Renault engines from next year.

Honda will remain in F1 with Toro Rosso, with their sister team Red Bull keeping an eye after the progress they made towards the end of the year and this change is aimed at speeding up the process.

Toyoharu Tanabe will take the new role of F1 Technical Director, controlling the operational side of the team at the racetrack, while an Operating Officer, currently unknown, will manage research and development along with the wider Honda operation.

"In the past, the Head of F1 Project assumed responsibility in both technological development and directing the team at the spot of racing," Katsuhide Moriyama, Honda's Chief Officer for Brand and Communication Operations explained.

"By separating these areas of responsibility, we will evolve our structure so that both the development team and racing/testing team can assume their respective responsibilities more speedily.

"By ensuring both the development team and racing team soundly fulfil their respective roles, Honda will continue its challenges so that fans can enjoy seeing Toro Rosso-Honda competing at the top level without further delay."

As for Hasegawa, he will leave the F1 operation but will assume the role of Executive Chief Engineer within Honda.

Barely a week after the Alfa Romeo Sauber partnership was launched in Milan, it is being reported another brand under the Fiat Chrysler umbrella could return to Formula 1 with Maserati teaming up with Haas F1.

The suggestion comes after CEO of the parent company and Ferrari Chairman Sergio Marchionne hinted at a possible future change in the relationship between the Scuderia and the American team, who have worked together since Haas joined the grid at the beginning of 2016.

Initially, however, his comments began as a clarification of the types of relationship the Italian team has first with Sauber, after the Alfa deal, and Haas.

It’s a totally different arrangement,” Marchionne claimed. “Haas has been given access to Ferrari resources and to our powertrain, so there Ferrari is acting as technical support. The team is still very much Haas, it has no association with any car brand, and Gene [Haas] has decided to run his own products.

“This one [Sauber/Alfa Romeo] is a completely different arrangement, starting with identification of Alfa as being title sponsor for the car and the team already exists – it may not be fully staffed – but it already exists.

“The arrangement itself is completely different.”

A good example of the difference is how Ferrari had hoped the technical partnership with Haas would hold enough sway to do a deal allowing their current third driver Antonio Giovinazzi to move into a race seat for 2018 but the team refused.

With the financial interest in Sauber, however, that allowed Academy driver and F2 champion Charles Leclerc to replace Pascal Wehrlein, although the Swiss team would retain Marcus Ericsson.

Though there would be no indication a potential Maserati return is being considered, Marchionne did suggest mirroring the Sauber deal is an option for the future.

“Is it possible for the Haas arrangement to turn into something other than what we have today? The answer is potentially yes," he said. “But we’re very far away from a resolution on that matter, but it’s possible. We’ll see, time will tell.”

Another reason why the Maserati name is being linked, however, is the past relationship between the luxury carmaker and chassis producer Dallara with whom Haas work with on their car.

The FIA has announced a minor tweak to how the engine penalty system will work in 2018, as the President of the governing body, Jean Todt insisted nothing can be done about the tighter restrictions.

The whole debate about engines continues to rage with Red Bull boss Christian Horner particularly unhappy at the change from four complete power units in 2017, to just three internal combustion engines, turbochargers and MGU-H's next year with only two MGU-K's, energy stores and control electronics.

Though Horner made efforts to try and increase the total at least back to four, opposition by Ferrari meant the unanimous support needed was not possible and that's why Todt said they were powerless to stop the change.

"It is something that was decided," explained Todt. "Some people are still thinking, why don't we have one engine for the whole championship?

"It is not something that is new. It was decided years ago for 2018. We had some meetings with teams and the way the regulations are made and the governance are made, to decide now to go back to four engines, or let's go back, we need to be in 100% agreement and we don't get 100% agreement, so we are down to three engines."

There are fears the lower limits will mean even more grid penalties, with only a handful managing to complete this season without surpassing the restrictions. So bad was the situation that at some races, driver's didn't even know where they were starting with so much confusion over how it worked but an effort to simplify has been made.

At a meeting of the World Motor Sport Council on Wednesday, it was agreed any driver who accumulates at least 15 grid positions will automatically drop to the back of the grid regardless of where they qualify. Should more than one driver fall foul of this rule then it would be determined by the order of which the penalty was handed out.

"I don't feel it is easy to find the right solution," Todt said of the current rules. "[But] if you don't do anything - it will be more expensive to buy the engines.

"For the FIA to decide that you don't have a limited amount of engines, it won't be a problem, but it would be a problem for the competitors."

Former Ferrari Team Principal and current FIA President, Jean Todt has stated Michael Schumacher is "still fighting" as the German Formula 1 legend recovers from severe head injuries suffered in a skiing crash almost four years ago.

The Frenchman made the remarks as all former F1 champions were inducted into the newly created FIA Hall of Fame on Monday in Paris, with Schumacher, of course, the most successful in history with seven world titles to his name.

Todt would also speak at length about his memories with the now 49-year-old and assured everyone he continues in his efforts to make a miraculous recovery.

"We miss Michael. He's there, still fighting. A fight is going on. Michael is someone very special, someone special for motorsport. He's special to me, he's a friend." he said, according to the Daily Express.

In a revealing story, Todt would recall how, mere weeks after becoming world champion for the third time in 2000, Schumacher's own self-doubt led him to feel the need to prove himself of his own abilities behind the wheel.

"I remember when he was driving for Ferrari and there are two things I will mention," he began. "In 2000, after 21 years, Ferrari was the champion with Michael and I took him to the podium and I said 'Michael, our racing life will never be the same'. Clearly that day at Suzuka, that has been the strongest moment in my career.

"[But] another thing to show what Michael is like: when we were starting the 2001 season, he asked me, quite shy because he's a shy guy, he looks arrogant but he's shy, he asked me, 'would you allow me to do some testing in Fiorano to make sure I am still able to drive?'

"He was always full of doubt, whether he was a good driver or not. He made his testing and he was not too bad,"  he concluded.

Updates on the condition of Schumacher remain few, with manager Sabine Kehm insisting the emphasis is on maintaining his privacy, but she was in Paris for the event earlier this week and claimed Michael would have been thrilled by the recognition he and the other champions received.

Nico Hulkenberg believes his Renault team is still at least a year from competing for wins in Formula 1 despite making encouraging progress during the 2017 season.

The French manufacturer went from the back of the grid to battle at the head of the midfield this year but a dependence on one driver, Hulkenberg, for points for much of the year prevented them from challenging higher in the Constructors' standings.

Eventually, a controversial sixth place for the German in Abu Dhabi would be enough to see Renault jump Toro Rosso into sixth, which, just shy of their pre-season target still pleased the 30-year-old.

"I've said it many times before, 2017 was a build-up year and shining would be a rather rare situation," he commented. "So it was really great to wrap up the season with a result that made us all go home with our heads held high."

The goal since returning as a works team at the start of 2016, after buying the remains of Lotus, has been to once again fight for the championship by 2020 and Hulkenberg does think the growth at the Enstone factory and development is on course to meet that.

"In reality, I would give it another 12 to 18 months," he said. "The aim is to fight at the top and that has not changed.

"We know that we still have homework to do in certain areas, but the signs are all super encouraging, as pace-wise we are getting better and better. Actually, I am really proud of how we progressed, looking back to where we started at the beginning of the season."

A fact facing Renault in 2018, is the likelihood of being the third best team using their own engines as McLaren join Red Bull on their customer list. This doesn't worry special advisor and four-time world champion Alain Prost, however.

"For me, the pressure is positive, even if it is difficult," he told Germany's Auto Motor und Sport. "The factory team will race against two well-established teams, where the entire organisation that Renault is still setting up already exists and both of those teams also have top drivers - maybe even the best, so on paper, we cannot beat Red Bull and McLaren.

"We will be better next year and the comparison with the customer teams will help us to gain experience in order to get closer to the top teams," he added. "We will be here for a long time so it's important that we make progress every year. In the end, if we want to win, we will have to beat everyone."

Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel has questioned why the timing of Robert Kubica's decision to attempt a full return to Formula 1 with Williams in 2018, seven years after his serious rally crash.

The Pole initially started his efforts at a comeback with Renault earlier this year, testing both the 2012 and 2017 cars but after the French manufacturer signed Carlos Sainz, attention switched to Williams with the seat held previously by Felipe Massa the last available for next season.

So far, Kubica has completed four appearances, with his most recent coming at the post-season test in Abu Dhabi last week, but while understanding of the 32-year-old's desire to get back behind the wheel, Vettel wonders what took him so long.

“I think it’s very tragic what happened to him back then, he was considered a future champion," the German commented. “However, I do not understand why he is now pushing for a comeback. Why did he not do this earlier?"

The four-time world champion, who briefly worked with Robert at BMW a decade ago, also seemed to suggest Williams should look to the next generation when making their decision, despite already having the youngest driver on the grid in Lance Stroll.

“For him, it would certainly be a nice story, [but] on the other hand, it would be a pity for younger drivers, from whom he would take away a race-seat,” Vettel said.

The Grove team has made it clear they are considering all options, including names like Pascal Wehrlein, Daniil Kvyat and potential Sergey Sirotkin, who also drove for them at Yas Marina, but insist they will not rush into a choice.

Daniel Ricciardo insists he is not setting any deadlines by which he wants his post-2018 future sorted, acknowledging his next contract decision is the "most important" of his Formula 1 career.

The Australian is weighing up a plethora of different factors as he considers whether to remain at Red Bull for another three years, mainly whether the Milton Keynes outfit will be in a position to fight for championships and if he will be guaranteed equal treatment alongside the growing presence of Max Verstappen.

Seats at both Ferrari and Mercedes are available and there is the potential of teams like McLaren and Renault to consider but with this next contract likely to see Ricciardo through the prime of his time on the grid, he wants to make sure he gets it right.

“I’m 29 next year and the next deal will take me into my 30s, so it’s not like I’m the young unproven kid who’ll sign anything just to get on the grid, or at the other end of my career when I’m hanging on and doing things year by year," he told the Red Bull website. "I don’t ever want to get to that stage, I can’t see myself being that guy.

“You look at Lewis [Hamilton] and when he did his Mercedes deal, he was the same age as I am now if I remember correctly. He was already doing very well where he was, but his career has really taken off since then. So, there’s a lot to consider.”

Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner is staunchly trying to commit Ricciardo until at least 2020 at the team and has tried to do so by insisting he would get the same chance as Verstappen, whereas he might not against Hamilton or Sebastian Vettel.

The five-time Grand Prix winner is taking all the comments on board but says there won't be any rash decisions made.

“So where do things stand? The short answer is that there’s absolutely no rush, and things can take as long as they take – I’m not setting a deadline for anyone else’s sake, or just to get it done for me," he said.

“I’m not just going to settle on something because I want it to be off my mind because there’s a lot at stake. It’s a big decision for me, so if I need to take time to make it, I will.

“I’m planning on being in the sport for a long while yet, but in saying that, if I was to sign, say, a three-year deal, that’s a big chunk of the next part of my career. I need to get it right, so it’s a big call – the most important one for me yet, I think. I’ll take as much time as I need to. It’s not going to be a distraction.”

Lewis Hamilton has rejected any possibility of having Fernando Alonso as a teammate in the future despite it being more than a decade since their tumultuous year at McLaren in 2007.

The Briton, in his rookie season, and the Spaniard, then the defending double world champion, fell out spectacularly as they battled for the title with Alonso unhappy at the equal treatment his young partner was getting and would ultimately move back to Renault after just one year.

When Nico Rosberg retired as world champion after 2016, many hoped the 36-year-old, now back at McLaren, would make the move and create what would be one of the great 'super-teams'.

Though a mutual respect has grown between with Alonso in the years since, Hamilton insists, however, it is not an option as the pair are simply not compatible in the same working environment.

“No. That will not happen," he told German publication Stuttgarter Zeitung. “Toto [Wolff, Mercedes Motorsport boss] understands how the interpersonal dynamics of a team work.

“I would compare it to a magnet: when two north poles meet, they repel each other. You need a north and a south pole," he added. “Two of the same result in negative energy, as in 2007 between me and Alonso.”

One potential partnership that could happen in 2019 is the Mercedes driver having Daniel Ricciardo alongside, with the Australian out of contract at Red Bull after next year.

The 'Honey Badger' has also said he hopes to test himself as a teammate to Hamilton, but recently, Lewis left out the five-time Grand Prix winner when naming his main rivals for next season.

“Lewis would be very foolish to underestimate Daniel,” Ricciardo's Team Principal Christian Horner told Sky Sports. “He’s a phenomenal driver, he’s arguably the best overtaker in the business. He’s driven some great races this year and some great races in his time at Red Bull.

“He’s absolutely ready for a championship challenge if we can provide him with the tools to do the job.”