Hamilton: Schumacher records still seem so far away

Lewis Hamilton says the prospect of matching Michael Schumacher's record of seven world titles remains "so far away" despite moving to within one of the German's tally in 2019.

Hamilton moved to outright second place on F1's all-time roll of honour as a second-place finish at the United States Grand Prix secured his fifth title in six years.

Schumacher's records for race wins (91) and titles were previously thought untouchable, but Hamilton is just eight victories short of the German and will start 2020 favourite to match his championship tally.

However, Hamilton says the German icon's achievements remain difficult to comprehend in relation to his own.

"I've always said to you that reaching Michael's was never a target for me. I'm not really one that really thinks of records and those kind of things," he said.

"I definitely had thought that getting anywhere near Michael was just so far-fetched and I remember having my one [title] for a long period of time, then getting a second one. It was so far away and now yet it seems so close yet it is so far away that I still can't really even comprehend.

"The challenges that we'll face in these next coming months, the next season. You look at these other teams that have really been putting some astonishing performances in in the second half of the season.

"It's going to take another load of incredible performance and work from myself and all the people who are around me and I really don't want to have to think about it right now.

"And also, I don't want to build up the idea of trying to get to Michael's… to get to seven because at the moment, I've got enjoy right now.

"I'm not trying to think of what's going to happen potentially at the end of next year or 2021.

"I believe that I have the ability to continue to grow and to do more with this team and within Formula One and so that would be the target but time will tell."

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

Ferrari announce Lewis Hamilton replacement at Barcelona Grand Prix

• Just now

F1 News Today: Red Bull set for FIA protest as Christian Horner return takes new twist

• 50 minutes ago

Charles Leclerc gives Lewis Hamilton the DNF curse ahead of Barcelona Grand Prix

• Yesterday 22:56

F1 News Today: Christian Horner excited about new job as FIA make major announcement

• Yesterday 22:10

Beloved Sky F1 pundit to return at Barcelona Grand Prix after bout with illness

• Yesterday 21:58

F1 Crashgate scandal is heading for the Supreme Court in dramatic new development

• Yesterday 20:54