Hill: Hamilton would prefer to win eighth F1 title ‘fighting everybody’

Hamilton heads into the new season aiming once again to win a record-breaking eighth world championship and pull clear of fellow seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher.

Hamilton missed out on his eighth title last year after being overtaken by Red Bull rival Max Verstappen on the last lap of the Abu Dhabi season finale in controversial circumstances.

Mercedes heads into this weekend’s season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix uncertain of its ability to fight at the very front following a difficult second test in Bahrain, potentially leaving it behind Red Bull and Ferrari in the early pecking order.

Sky Sports F1 expert Hill pondered whether missing out on the eighth world title might have “relieved” Hamilton of any pressure surrounding the record, but was confident he’d thrive off an open battle for the championship.

“I put everything I could into winning it once, I could have had another stab probably, but I don't know if I could keep doing it year in year out, [for] seven world titles, eight world titles,” Hill said.

“It’s an enormous amount of pressure to put on yourself. There comes a point where people think they don't want the pressure. But I still think Lewis is hungry.

“I think he really, really wants the eighth, but he would prefer to get it fighting everybody than having it on a plate with a better car than everyone else with not much competition.”

Damon Hill

Photo by: Steven Tee / Motorsport Images

Hamilton became the first driver to surpass 100 grand prix victories last year, but faced a season-long battle against Verstappen and Red Bull in one of the most dramatic title fights in recent F1 history.

2022 is likely to see Verstappen again factor in the battle at the front, while Ferrari duo Charles Leclerc and