Jenson Button believes his former McLaren teammate Lewis Hamilton is not motivated by matching the records of Michael Schumacher.
After claiming his fifth world title in 2018, the Briton now sits just two behind the German’s iconic figure of seven and would seem capable of achieving it with a Mercedes team still hungry for more success.
However, instead, the 2009 world champion thinks Hamilton’s desire to continue on in Formula 1 comes from a more simple source.
“I think when things are changing in F1 and there are new challenges, that’s what he loves. That’s what we all love in racing,” he told Sky Sports. “Knowing Lewis it’s not about trying to better what Michael has done.”
“When the challenges stop that you decide that you are going to go and do something else, but with the way F1 is with the regulation changes and the drivers changing all the time, he’s going to want to keep going, which is fantastic for the sport.”
Button was then asked if he thought Hamilton could sustain his ongoing success into the new season, as he bids for a fifth title in six years.
“Lewis is coming off the back of a fantastic few years but with the regulation changes who knows what’s going to happen in 2019,” he replied.
“There are so many changes at the moment and that’s exactly what the sport needs. I think that we might have three teams fighting at the front.
“Hopefully we are going to see Red Bull-Honda up there as well. If we do there will be some fantastic fights I’m sure.”
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While Hamilton’s achievements have now put him in the conversation as one of F1’s greatest drivers, another legend Sir Jackie Stewart had a different take.
“Lewis currently is not only driving well, but he has also got the best team in the world with the best engine in the world right now,” said the Scot to Autosport. “If Lewis were to go from Mercedes and go to an uncompetitive team, that would be a challenge.
“He’s [also] been a very lucky boy, to have [former McLaren boss] Ron Dennis pick him up the way he did, to bring him up the way he did. And in those days, the McLaren was the best car in the world in Formula 1, including Ferrari.”