Lewis Hamilton is closing in on sporting immortality after securing his sixth World Drivers' Championship in Austin last night.

Already regarded as one of the greatest drivers in the history of the sport, Hamilton is now within reach of Michael Schumacher’s seven, and the British driver’s numbers are only growing stronger.

Few drivers have matched Hamilton’s consistency in the modern era.

Hamilton has won at least one race in each of his 13 consecutive seasons contested, and has won one in every three races he has participated in his career.

It seems the natural talent he possesses has not been wasted, only worked on and improved.

Speaking after the race yesterday, Hamilton said: "It is overwhelming if I am honest, it's beyond surreal that my life journey has brought me to this point in winning the sixth title."

Hamilton was adding the 2019 title to previous triumphs in 2008, 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2018, and at 34 years of age, shows little sign of letting up.

"I don't know about how many championships I can win, but as an athlete I feel as fresh as I could be. We will keep pushing," he said.

Hamilton's incredible success story is shared by his dedicated father Anthony, who added: "His approach was evident at eight years of age. We had no money and it’s like, if you’re going to do this, you’re going to do this properly, and it’s not changed since then. It’s the same approach from the first time he stepped in a go-kart."

Statistically, Hamilton is even closer to becoming the greatest driver of all time.

Hamilton has won 83 races and only Schumacher has won more, with 91. Hamilton is way out in front in terms of pole positions - he has an all-time record of 87. Schumacher is in second place with 68.

Hamilton has also completed a 'hat-trick' of securing pole position, winning the race and recording the fastest lap on 14 different occasions. Michael Schumacher is ahead with 22 hat-tricks.

As the dust settles at the end of the F1 season in two races time, it is clear that Schumacher is the final hurdle in Hamilton's way as he pursues even further greatness.

Some may say he doesn't get the credit he deserves, but there is no doubt that Hamilton is one of the finest, if not the finest, British sportsman of all time.