Lewis Hamilton competes in the 150th race of his Formula One career this weekend, as he looks to continue his pursuit of back-to-back world titles, reports the Guardian.
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After winning his first title with McLaren in 2008, Hamilton is aiming to become part of racing royalty by winning a third world title. The Mercedes driver made the perfect start to his defence with a win in Australia earlier this month, and is already back at the top of the standings.
The 30-year-old Brit has so far taken 34 wins and 71 podiums from his 149 race starts, while he’s also taken 39 pole positions and set the fastest lap of a race weekend on 21 occasions.
After claiming more race victories than any other British driver in the history of Formula One, his tally of success now places him in fifth place on the all-time list of drivers. He was named as BBC Sports Personality Year at the end of 2014, and is now aiming to continue impressing in the sport that he loves.
Discussing his upcoming milestone, Hamilton said: “I had a special helmet made this weekend to celebrate Petronas and Malaysia as I love this race. But due to the FIA’s new rule of not allowing drivers to change their helmet designs, I cannot wear it.
“It’s pretty amazing! 150 races. It doesn’t really mean anything to me, 120, 130, 170, but it’s pretty crazy because I remember my first race in Formula One, coming out of the garage and seeing my dad there. It’s crazy to think 150 races in F1.”
Asked whether, after eight seasons in F1, he could do another eight, he added: “It’ll be tough. Jenson [Button] has done it. I can’t see it, but in the next four years I might laugh and stay another four years after that.
“The thing is there’s nothing beyond it that’s ever going to come close, apart from having kids. But even that is different, isn’t it? There’s nothing that’s going to come close to that sensation of a grand prix weekend, working with the team, working with the engineers, driving the car.
“After that, it’s all downhill I’m pretty sure. Some people have tried to eke it out as long as possible but fortunately I’m not in a position to have to make that decision right now.”
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