Hamilton not motivated by Schumacher’s F1 records – Button

Jenson Button believes Lewis Hamilton gets his motivation through fresh challenges rather than the prospect of surpassing Michael Schumacher’s Formula 1 records. 

Reigning F1 world champion Hamilton heads into the upcoming 2019 season looking to add a sixth drivers’ crown to his growing list of achievements, having joined Schumacher and Juan Manuel Fangio in an elite group of drivers to have claimed five or more world championships with his latest triumph last year. 

The 34-year-old Briton, who already holds the record for most pole positions in the history of the sport (83), now sits within touching distance of Schumacher’s all-time best tally of seven world championships, while he is also closing in on the German’s win record of 91, having racked up 73 so far in his career. 

His Mercedes contract runs until the end of 2020 but Button, who spent three seasons as Hamilton’s teammate at McLaren, reckons his fellow countryman will continue in F1 as long as he feels there is a new challenge. 

“Knowing Lewis it’s not about trying to better what Michael has done,” Button told Sky Sports during a promotional filming event ahead of the new season. 

“I think when things are changing in F1 and there are new challenges, that’s what he loves. That’s what we all love in racing. 

“It’s when the challenges stop that you decide that you are going to go and do something else. 

“But with the way F1 is with the regulation changes and the drivers changing all the time, he’s going to want to keep going, which is fantastic for the sport.”

Button will dovetail broadcasting commitments with Sky Sports alongside his Super GT title defence in 2019 after becoming the series’ first rookie champion in over a decade. The 39-year-old is relishing the prospect of his new punditry role and predicts a three-way F1 title battle this year. 

“Lewis is coming off the back of a fantastic few years but with the regulation changes who knows what’s going to happen in 2019,” he added. 

“There’s so many changes at the moment and that’s exactly what the sport needs. I think that we might have three teams fighting at the front. 

“Hopefully we are going to see Red Bull-Honda up there as well. If we do there will be some fantastic fights I’m sure.”