Hamilton: a madman to match the five F1's of Fangio's godfather

AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) – Lewis Hamilton on Thursday described Juan Manuel Fangio as the "godfather" of Formula 1 and said he was crazy to think he could soon join the late Argentine five-time champion world.

Fangio was up to what Michael Schumacher wins seven titles, the man who has the most and the champion of the 1950s remains revered as the greatest driver of all time and certainly of his murderous era.

Hamilton can match Sunday's South American race with three races to spare, with the 33-year-old Mercedes driver needing just eight points more than Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel in the US Grand Prix.

"He is the godfather for us, one of the greatest from the beginning and will always be admired in the sport," the Briton told the press.

"It's crazy to think I'm engaging in a similar number of championships."

However, Hamilton was nothing to envy at the time of Fangio – a time of frequent funerals and a completely alien age. to his past grandson of 1950s Antillean immigrants to England.

Hamilton broke the barriers as the first and only champion of the mixed race, and this, from a disadvantaged background without wealth or family history in auto racing.

By the time Fangio dominated the circuit, Hamilton's paternal grandfather, who worked for London's underground transportation system, had just arrived from Grenada.

This kind of social leap accomplished by Hamilton, a world superstar lucky enough to line up, would have been inconceivable when the European-dominated Formula One World Championship began in 1950.

" I do not know if The 50s were particularly good. Neither was it a good time for blacks. I probably would not have run at the time, "said Hamilton.

"I am grateful to be at this time and with the technology we have and see the cars advance."

Hamilton drove cars from the Fangio era, including joining the great rival of Argentina's Stirling Moss a few years ago. for a ride in an old Mercedes at Monza, which was also a revelation.

"It is always very strange to hear the mental philosophy of the drivers at the time," he said.

"Mr. Stirling is reported to have said you want to crash if the car breaks down: you hope to be ejected from the car. It's a much more confined space (now). It is all about staying stuck and safe. "

Hamilton has now won 71 races, against 24 for Fangio and only 91 for the Schumacher score, but one day Argentina's season had only six or seven races compared to the 21st today.