Lewis Hamilton says he has achieved everything he set out to in Formula One after matching boyhood idol Ayrton Senna's tally of three world championships at the U.S Grand Prix.
Hamilton secured back-to-back titles in Austin with his 10th win of the season, wrapping up a title that has looked to be a formality since the summer. In Japan he matched Senna's career tally of 41 victories and with his 43rd became the sixth driver to win three world champions, and only the second Briton after Sir Jackie Stewart.
Though Michael Schumacher's seven world titles remain the benchmark in F1 Hamilton says his career ambition was always to match the three Senna won.
Asked about whether he had sights on Schumacher's tally, Hamilton said: "I think for Sebastian [Vettel] being the same country, that will be his target. For me it was always to get the three that Ayrton had. He wasn't from the same country as me but it was the guy who inspired me as a youngster."
Hamilton has frequently pointed to the fact Senna would have surpassed the numbers he has in the F1 record books had he not been killed in an accident at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix. The new world champion feels like he needs to keep winning for his boyhood hero.
"I don't know what I will do next but there is no one I want to equal or emulate next. I said one race ago, I feel like I had the baton down for myself and Ayrton and will carry it as long as I can and as strong as I can.
"It's very humbling experience, to equal Ayrton Senna, who meant so much to me and still does today, I feel very, very blessed."