Lewis Hamilton on Monday deflected all suggestions that he might be the greatest Formula One driver of all time, saying that seven-time champion Michael Schumacher remains the man who most deserves that label.
The 33-year-old Briton, who on Sunday clinched his fifth drivers' title when he finished fourth for Mercedes in the Mexican Grand Prix, rejected consideration of himself as the greatest in history, citing his father Anthony's mantra to "do your talking on the track."
"But Michael's still quite far ahead in race wins so you have to say he is still the GOAT (greatest of all time)."
Villeneuve said that Schumacher's career had been accompanied by "too many negative stories - too many question marks on how some races or championships were won. And being a great champion is about more than just winning races."
"There's no question mark on 'Is he cheating or not? Has he been dirty?' That makes a big difference."
- Rosberg tips Hamilton for more -
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"He can really try and statistically become the best of all time, which is unreal, but it is a possibility. So I'm sure he's going to be motivated by that."
Hamilton has always resisted talk of record-breaking, saying merely that he may be "hoping I can at least get close," and reiterated after Sunday's race that he had "not really put any thought towards getting to that number because I've been trying to focus on this one."