Schumacher records in Hamilton's sights - Wolff

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff believes Lewis Hamilton is determined to make even more Formula 1 history, with a fifth world title in his sights this year. Hamilton has previously talked down his chances of matching Michael Schumacher's record haul of seven titles, but Wolff believes that benchmark may now be in the champion's thoughts.

Hamilton has won three of the last four drivers' titles on offer, with Mercedes sweeping all before them in the hybrid era.

The Briton surpassed Schumacher's record for pole positions last season, moving onto 72 by the end of 2017, and the German icon's record 91 race wins is also in Hamilton's sights, as he enters the season on 62 with a similar win percentage.

Although Red Bull and Ferrari are expected to close the gap to Mercedes this year, Hamilton is pre-season favourite for honours and Wolff believes he has spotted a change in focus from his charge.

"Lewis is pretty hot," Wolff told Stuttgarter Nachrichten. "He spent the winter in Colorado and recovered well - but racing is the most important thing for him now.

"He now has a great opportunity to put himself in an even more elite league of world champions with another title.

"He would be on par with Juan Manuel Fangio. And then there is only Michael Schumacher with seven titles in front of him.

"Lewis always thought like me: These historical successes will only mean something when you say 'It's over'. Or when they write your obituary.

"But things seem a little bit different now with Lewis. I think he really wants that fifth title."

Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel are expected to once again go head-to-head in 2018, both drivers going for their fifth title respectively.

Wolff believes the opportunity to beat Vettel to a fifth crown is a source of motivation to Hamilton, while the Silver Arrows' chance to match the Scuderia's dominance of the early 2000s is a target for the team as a whole.

"The two respect each other, because a four-time world champion respects a four-time world champion," Wolff added.

"But there are other records. We as a team have now won four double championships in a row. So we could now catch up with Ferrari in the Schumacher era.

"As a result, our successes are creating new goals that are relevant. And now I'm starting to understand that a bit. As a driver and team, we could open a book in 30 years and see this time was successful."