Lewis Hamilton's aim is to become Formula 1 world champion again – but he insists he is not interested in setting new records for the sport.
The Brit is unmatched in several of the most important records in F1. He currently boasts more race wins, pole positions, podium finishes, consecutive race starts and consecutive points finishes than any other racer in the sport's history.
And while Michael Schumacher's record matches Hamilton in terms of world championships won, no-one has bettered their figure of seven each. While he is in no danger of being overtaken for those any time soon, the Mercedes star is just a handful of races away from losing one particularly impressive streak.
Hamilton has won at least one race during every single season he has raced in F1, since his debut year in 2007. But with just seven Grands Prix remaining in 2022, Mercedes' car struggles have meant he is yet to stand upon the top step of a podium this year.
Asked if he was worried about losing that remarkable streak, the Brit said: "Honestly, it has zero importance to me. I'm grateful that each year, we have had – since 2007 – an opportunity to win. I do believe that we're going to have a chance this year, still got some races to go. And that's definitely a real big goal for us as a team, to get back to the front and be fighting for the lead.
"I have no idea where our car is going to be great. So, you know, it was a surprise when we got in the car last week, and the car felt so much better, completely different to the previous weekend. But I'm hoping more often than not, it feels like Budapest and the last race for the rest of the races."
Pressed on whether he had given up hope of maintaining the winning streak, he added: "I'm not focused on the record but of course, I'm trying to get that win this year. But the record is not important to me. Just because I don't really care about records in general."
But despite that declaration, he admitted that his main goal in the sport before retiring is to secure the eighth world title that would take him beyond Schumacher in the all-time rankings. "Oh, for sure, it's a challenge," he admitted. "For me, it's just winning another world championship..
"Every one, I've approached it as my first, and the feeling of winning the world championship, it's so unique and special in its own way. But of course, the idea that no driver in history has ever gone past seven, of course, you want to try and accomplish that... winning another world title continues to be a goal. I'll be so proud to be able to do that for this team."
