Nico Rosberg has suggested Lewis Hamilton could become Formula 1’s G.O.A.T. then retire at the end of 2020.
The Briton heads into this season looking to match Michael Schumacher as a seven-time world champion, with Rosberg the only driver to beat Hamilton since 2014.
And should he do so, the German believes it could settle the debate as to who is the better driver.
“This year Lewis can be the greatest of all time. Who would have thought that anyone could reach Schumacher’s’ records?” he told RTL.
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There is another question still hanging over Hamilton too with his current contract set to expire, and Rosberg thinks there are three outcomes.
“Lewis might be sitting on a skidoo at home in Colorado, at Mercedes or at Ferrari in a year’s time. I think these are the options,” he stated.
“He is 35 years old and has achieved so much. At some point, you might want to have a family or pursue other interests. He has now built up new interests such as fashion and acting.
“I think his decision also depends on how his car will run this year. If you can win a lot and dominate in races, it’s a lot of fun. If others dominate the race and things don’t go so well, I think you lose the desire.”
Also commenting on Hamilton’s future is former F1 champion Emerson Fittipaldi, who believes the Briton should take on a fresh challenge.
“I’d like to see him go to one of the other top three teams and winning a world title elsewhere would add to his CV,” he told the Evening Standard.
“To win a world title for yet another team, that would make him even greater.”
That’s not to say the Brazilian doesn’t already rate him very highly.
“The numbers don’t lie. I’m sure there’s more winning ahead of him to create history. In any sport, it’s all about the numbers,” he noted.
“That’s what counts and I think he can break that record. He has the physical condition, the psychological and spiritual condition to go forward.”