Schumacher doffs his cap to Fangio

"It is incomparable," said the man who currently enjoys a 33-point advantage over the Williams twins in his quest for a record-equalling fifth title. "I have a lot of respect for what Fangio has done and I think that what we are doing now doesn't even come close to it. It is not the target for me."

Schumacher currently has seven more wins than any other driver in F1 history, has scored more points than any other driver and has led more laps than any other driver. He has more fastest laps to his name than any other driver, but is currently 19 pole positions short of the late Ayrton Senna's record 65.

Despite all that, Schumacher claims that records will only mean something when the time comes to sit in an armchair with his pipe and slippers.

"What concerns me is the championship," Michael said. "I want to continue to enjoy racing and while I do that, that is what will motivate me. The number of victories is not really important to me. In motorsport, we have a lot of ups and downs. It is a very intense life and that is what drives me. I want to experience that."