Lewis Hamilton further cemented his status as one of Britain’s greatest ever sporting stars by securing his fifth Formula One world title in October.

The 33-year-old had already surpassed Sir Jackie Stewart’s tally of three world titles to become the greatest British racing driver of all time.

But he added a fifth to his collection to equal the great Juan Manuel Fangio, who won five world titles in the 1950s.

"It is a very strange feeling right now,” Hamilton told reporters after the Mexican Grand Prix. “This was won through a lot of hard work through a lot of races. I am so grateful for all the hard work, for everyone who has been a part of it.

"To complete this, when Fangio has done it with Mercedes, it is an incredible moment.”

Only one man in history has won more F1 world titles than Hamilton - and he needs no introduction.

The legendary Michael Schumacher won a remarkable seven world titles during his illustrious career - a feat that many people felt would never be surpassed.

However, one person who thought it was possible back in January 2008, before Hamilton had even won his first world title, was former FIA president Max Mosley.

Just months after Hamilton had lost out on the 2007 drivers’ title to Kimi Raikkonen by a single point, Mosley suggested he’d seen enough from the young Brit to suggest he was capable of overtaking Schumacher’s record one day.

"Lewis will get plenty of turns," Mosley was quoted as saying by BBC Sport following Hamilton’s debut season.

"Unless something goes dramatically wrong, he will win several world championships.

"If he races for as long as Michael did then he may very well beat his record."

Mosley’s comments about the then 23-year-old would have raised plenty of eyebrows at the time. But now there appears to be a very real chance of his prediction becoming a reality over the next few years.

Hamilton agreed a new two-year deal, worth up to £40 million a year, earlier this year that will keep him tied to Mercedes until the end of 2020.

Assuming he equals Schumacher’s record over the next two seasons - an achievable objective, you’d have to say - then he’ll surely stay on and attempt to win an eighth world title.

Mosley also urged Hamilton to invest his money wisely and to ignore the sport’s politics.

"My advice to Lewis would be to put the money in the bank and don't worry about the politics," he added.

"As long as he keeps driving quick he will be all right. You can understand him saying 'I'm fed up of this' which he is entitled to say, but I don't think it would be a considered judgment."

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