[ad_1]
(Reuters) – Michael Schumacher’s son Mick says the prospect of Lewis Hamilton equaling the great Ferrari’s all-time record of 91 wins has given him something to aspire to when he reaches Formula One.
Hamilton, who replaced Schumacher senior at Mercedes in 2013, can claim his 91st victory at Sunday’s Russian Grand Prix in Sochi, a race he has won four times previously.
“A phrase that my father always used to say was: ‘Records are to be broken.’ The goal of everyone in this sport is to do that,” Formula 2 championship leader Mick said on Friday.
“I think Lewis had a very, very good run. He had a very consecutive and positive run.
“It’s good for the sport … the next goal would be then, I guess for me, if I take the step (up), break that again,” added the 21-year-old.
Seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher claimed his last victory for Ferrari in China in 2006. He has not appeared in public since sustaining serious head injuries in a ski accident in 2013.
Hamilton is on his way to a seventh crown and is set to replace the German as the most successful F1 driver of all time. The British already has more poles, podiums and points.
Hamilton said he appreciated the helmet he exchanged with Schumacher in Abu Dhabi in 2012 and had ‘pure admiration’ for a man he met as a young man at the German kart track in Kerpen.
When asked if he could shed a tear like Schumacher did when he matched the 41 victories of the late Brazilian triple champion Ayrton Senna in 2000, Hamilton said he remembered that but wasn’t focused on the numbers.
“I can’t tell you how I’m going to feel, or what it’s going to mean, or if it’s going to mean anything,” said the Briton, an active activist for racial equality and justice.
“There are other bigger problems in the world.”
Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel, for whom compatriot Schumacher was a childhood idol and has 53 career victories, said he would have mixed feelings.
“On the one hand, I will be sad because Michael is still my hero,” said the four-time world champion. “On the other hand, I will be very happy for Lewis.
“I think he deserves all the success that he has had in recent years and that he is going to have this year … and the next few years.”
(Reporting by Alan Baldwin in London; Editing by Ken Ferris)
[ad_2]
