Lewis Hamilton is the brink of securing his fifth Formula One title.The 33-year-old could add to his 2008, 2014, 2015 and 2017 triumphs as soon as this Sunday at the United States Grand Prix in Austin.An eight-point difference between where Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel finish will be enough to get him over the line and further emphasise his status as one of the best drivers the sport has ever seen.His task is relatively straightforward - even more so after his Ferrari counterpart was slapped with a three-place grid penalty during practice on Friday.If Hamilton wins, he just needs to prevent Vettel from finishing second. But perhaps even more tellingly, he can afford to finish as low as sixth so long as the German places no higher than 11th.Everything points to what would be a truly remarkable fifth crown for the Mercedes star.But where does that put the British driver among the sport's all-time greats?For now, only two men are ahead of him in the all-time standings, so here, we take a closer look at the only drivers in Formula 1 history to win more than four titles.

JUAN MANUEL FANGIO

Juan Manuel Fangio was among Formula One’s founding fathers, competing in the 1950s when death was synonymous with the sport.

Considered by many as the greatest of all time, Fangio, known as El Maestro, won five championships in just six years.

A feather in his cap was that he uniquely won those titles with four different constructors: Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Mercedes and Maserati.

His team-mate, Sir Stirling Moss, still says he is the best driver ever.

On Thursday, Hamilton described the Argentinian as F1’s godfather. His record of five championships stood for nearly half-a-century.

MICHAEL SCHUMACHER

The German won seven championships, two with Benetton in 1994 and 1995 and then an unprecedented five on the spin for Ferrari at the turn of the century.

A controversial driver, he collided with Damon Hill and Jacques Villeneuve at the 1994 and 1997 championship deciders, before he deliberately parked his Ferrari at Monaco in 2006 to prevent Fernando Alonso from setting a lap in qualifying.

Galvanised Ferrari following his move from Benetton, and his total of 91 victories is 20 greater than any driver, with Hamilton next on the list.

Little is known of Schumacher’s current medical health following a skiing crash on holiday with his family in the French Alps almost five years ago.

Will Lewis Hamilton become the best Formula 1 driver in history? Let us know what you think by leaving a comment.