Arsenal fan Lewis Hamilton knows how Premier League club can succeed again

Four-time Formula One world champion also talks about his career and how he wants to keep pushing to greater heights

Lewis Hamilton would have been disappointed after Arsenal were beaten at Cologne on Thursday night. Thilo Schmuelgen / Reuters

While it has been a season of success for Lewis Hamilton as he won his fourth drivers’ world championship, not everything in his sporting world has gone perfectly in 2017.

Speaking to journalists in the Yas Marina Circuit on Thursday in a promotional event ahead of the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday, the Briton conceded it had been a less than ideal time for Arsenal, the football team he supports, as for the first time since 1996 they failed to qualify for the Uefa Champions League this season.

Of the Premier League side, he said: “I’ve been an Arsenal fan since I was five.

“They’ve definitely had a difficult year again, but I’m always hopeful that things are going to grow for them. They need more money.”

Hamilton on the other hand has had a fine year, winning his fourth title with two races to spare.

But the 32-year-old driver has no intention of resting on his laurels and is looking at more ways he can improve.

“For me it’s just I’m always wanting to move forwards, I’m always wanting to be ahead of the game, I’m always wanting to be two steps further ahead than everyone else that’s also trying to be two steps ahead of the game,” he said.

“So it’s about raising the bar every time, whether I’m training, whether it’s in the car, understanding the technology that I’m working with, understanding the people that I’m working with.

“Each year, it’s moving. Already now, we’re already working on next year’s car, and I’m already getting my mind into understanding that – how can I understand that better than every other driver.”

Hamilton broke Michael Schumacher's record for most F1 pole positions this season as he surpassed the German's tally of 68, and he is now on 72 ahead of qualifying on Saturday in Abu Dhabi.

He has 62 race wins, 29 behind Schumacher’s record in that category.

But Hamilton said it was not records that motivated him.

“I never look at records. I don’t know why. It’s kind of cool when people mention it to you – ‘Hey, you just broke this record today’ – but that’s not my goal.

“I don’t think that’s really what defines who you are. It’s your work ethic, it’s how you’re pushing forwards. I’ve now won four championships and I want to win another one.”

Hamilton goes for a fourth win on Sunday in Abu Dhabi, with the race starting at 5pm.

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2017 race weekend: All you need to know about racing at Yas

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