Formula One: Is Lewis Hamilton subliminally trying to chase down Michael Schumacher?

Despite what he has recently stated, four-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton may very well be trying to chase down the records of Michael Schumacher.

A few days ago, four-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton stated that he wanted to stay in the sport for “at least another couple of years”. He recently clarified what, exactly, he meant when he said that.

There has been speculation that Hamilton could retire following the conclusion of the 2018 season, which is set to be his 12th as a driver in the sport, as his contract with Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport is set to expire at that time.

In fact, some people have even speculated that there is a chance that he could call it quits “at any moment”, much like 2016 champion and Hamilton’s former Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg did not even one full week after winning the title.

Here is what Hamilton said that clarified what he meant when he said “at least another couple of years”, according to ESPN.

"“I think about what is ahead of me. I have spoken to those who have retired early, those who retired late and everyone says stay in as long as you can. That’s not going to happen.“The seasons are getting longer and longer and you see the things I do outside, which take a lot of my energy and time. I’m enjoying what I’m doing now. I enjoy being with this team, I love racing and I still feel at the moment I’m driving at my best.”“While the car is in this form of rules until 2021 at least, I think that’s going to be the window I’m still here. Who knows? Maybe in 2021 I’ll hand the baton over to [Mercedes junior] George [Russell]. He’ll be there anyway before then. I’m going to keep going.”"

This essentially means that Hamilton will be driving in Formula One for at least another three full seasons if everything goes as planned. While he has stated repeatedly that his goal is not to catch the records of Michael Schumacher and he believes it would be cool to tie Juan Manuel Fangio’s mark of five championships for second on the all-time titles list, could he simply not be letting on to his main goals?

Could it be that Hamilton is subliminally trying to chase down the many records of the man who right now is the undisputed greatest Formula One driver in the history of the sport and he doesn’t want anyone to know his true goal of doing so?

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Right now, Hamilton has four career championships to his name. Schumacher has seven, which is an all-time record. In three years, Hamilton could have as many as seven.

Also right now, Hamilton has 62 career victories to his name. Schumacher has 91, which is also an all-time record. In three years, Hamilton could be in the 91-range.

In the last four seasons, Hamilton has racked up three championships and a 2nd place finish. He is the favorite to win the title again in 2018, and that will likely not change in 2019 or 2020 if he is driving at that time. If he does continue driving through 2020, there is a good chance he will have tied Schumacher’s championship record.

In the last three seasons, Hamilton has racked up exactly 29 victories. In the last four seasons, he  has racked up 40 victories, giving him an average of 10 wins per season. Another 29 wins takes him from 62 to 91 wins, which would tie Schumacher’s all-time wins record. Another three seasons of a 10-win average takes him from 62 to 92 wins, which would break Schumacher’s all-time wins record.

Next: Who is the greatest Formula One driver of all-time?

Is Lewis Hamilton really not worried about catching Michael Schumacher’s all-time records in the categories of career championships and victories, or is he just saying that? The longer he stays in the sport, the more speculation there will be about the subject.