Formula 1: Hamilton proud of his efforts to promote equality than prospect of seventh F1 title

Lewis Hamilton insists the prospect of winning his seventh title cannot measure up to how proud he is of the work he has done to promote equality this year.

The Brit will clinch his seventh title at the Turkish Grand Prix on Sunday should he avoid being seven points behind Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Botta.

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“The drivers’ title doesn’t necessarily impact people’s lives. Trying to improve conditions for people around the world – equal human rights – that’s the most important thing to me,” said Hamilton.

He could also wrap up the championship if he finishes first on Sunday.

A second-place finish or lower would require he finishes ahead of Bottas.

A win for the Finn would do no damage to Hamilton’s title ambitions as long as Bottas does not earn a point from setting the fastest lap.

Having broken Michael Schumacher’s record of career victories, Hamilton could go one step further by equaling Schumacher’s record of seven titles won, with victory in Turkey.

“Matching an icon like Michael; I’d be incredibly proud of that,” Hamilton said.

“But it’s more the message it sends to not just kids, but mostly kids, 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.”

Hamilton, however, said he was “just focused on trying to do a good job, just taking it one race at a time, trying to do the best we can as a team, not thinking about anything else” and not fazed in his thoughts about the prospect of a seventh title.

He added: “I have learned not to add pressure that’s unnecessary. I have four races to battle for those points so I don’t put it all onto one weekend, one day.

“For me it is another race, I need to approach it exactly as I have in the past.

“Maybe then that’s why sometimes it’s a shock. All of a sudden it hits you because you have not thought abut it much and you don’t know what to say, because you never truly know whether it is going to happen.

“I am not focused on the ‘what if?’ I am focused on preparing myself the same as before to try to deliver the way I have all season.”

Lewis Hamilton has won nine out of thirteen races so far this season and could clinch a record-equaling seventh title at the Turkish Grand Prix on Sunday.

He also cleared the air about not discussing a new contract with Mercedes to keep him with the German outfit beyond this season, but he would continue to race next year.

“I remember watching Michael get seven and thinking: ‘Wow.’ But when you’re in it, it’s different.

“We’re going to continue to fight for more championships, continue to try to improve, and continue to race and do what we love doing.

“What’s important is the journey this year has been combined with the fight for equality and a real growing process of learning what’s happening around the world and being more aware of surroundings and starting to see progress with that.”

Check out Hamilton’s Year by year record in F1

 

Speaking about a new contract, Hamilton said he wasn’t sure what he wants to do yet.

“I am very conscious of the idea I want to continue with Mercedes. I would love to help them with this quest of pushing for change.

“They are taking their cars green, electrifying more, I want to help them on that road, I want to help them push for diversity. There is a lot to discuss and a lot to go through but it is something we will do if not after the job is done at the end of the year.

“Nothing is set in stone – it is just about talking about it. I don’t feel I’m finished, I don’t feel moving forward… there are always areas to improve. I love racing and the challenge and I don’t think that is going to change any time soon.”