While proud of his incoming seventh Formula 1 championship, Lewis Hamilton hopes the achievement will act to inspire others.
Victory, or not being outscored by more than eight points by teammate Valtteri Bottas, will see the Briton secure his sixth title in seven years at this weekend’s Turkish Grand Prix.
However, needing only 19 points over the final four races, the record-equalling seventh title does seem merely a formality for Hamilton.
And asked on Thursday how that moment will feel when he matches Michael Schumacher, the Briton was reflective.
“That’s a question I get asked all the time,” she was quoted by Formula1.com. “Naturally, I think the numbers and the figures and the titles and all that stuff, it perhaps appears to mean more from the outside.
“I remember watching the TV and watching Michael get the seventh [title] and being like, ‘Wow!’ But when you’re in it, it’s different.
“Naturally, matching an icon like Michael, I’d be incredibly proud of that, but I think it’s more the message that it sends, hopefully, to people, not just kids but hopefully mostly kids because they’re the future, that you have to dream bigger than you think you can dream – and don’t let anyone tell you you can’t go for that.”
But when it comes to his personal achievements, Hamilton admits his ongoing activism in the fight for equality brings him more satisfaction.
“Winning a world championship is very much a personal thing, but the drivers’ title doesn’t necessarily impact people’s lives,” he said.
“I think it’s a much bigger issue and something I’m much prouder of doing the work outside, trying to improve conditions for people around the world – equal human rights – so that’s the most important thing to me.
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“We’re going to continue to fight for more championships, we’re going to continue to try and improve and continue to race and do what we do, and what we love doing,” he noted, in comments that suggest he will re-sign with Mercedes for 2021 despite what he said post-race at Imola.
“But I think what’s important is that the journey this year has been combined with the fight for equality and a real growing process this year of learning what’s happening around the world and being a little bit more aware of surroundings and starting to see progress with that.”
