No slowing down as Lewis Hamilton pursues yet another record

MANAMA, Bahrain – Lewis Hamilton heads into Sunday's Bahrain Grand Prix as the most successful driver in Formula One history, and now a seven-time world champion, but the Briton won't be reducing as he aims to round out a record-breaking season in fashion.

The Mercedes driver clinched the title in the previous race in Turkey to equal Michael Schumacher's record seven, having already surpassed the Ferrari great's tally of 91 race wins.

With three races to go and 10 wins from 14, Hamilton is on course for his most successful campaign yet and can become only the third driver after Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel to win 13 times in a season.

“Now it is a bit more chilled but I have three races ahead of me which i wish to win,” said Hamilton, that has not previously won more than 11 races in one year.

Hamilton has won 3 times round the 5.4km Sakhir desert track, including this past year after a lack of power robbed Ferrari's Charles Leclerc of an almost certain victory.

With Mercedes dominant, the Briton is favorite again, but teammate Valtteri Bottas is going to be to stop him.

Bahrain marks the beginning of a whirlwind floodlit Middle Eastern triple-header that wraps up the season.

A second race the next week, the Sakhir Grand Prix, follows in the same venue but around the shorter outer. Next may be the finale at Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina.

While the titles already are decided, other battles continue to be fought.

Mexican Sergio Perez, Leclerc and Australian Daniel Ricciardo are separated just by four points within the battle for fourth overall.

Racing Point, McLaren, Renault and Ferrari, separated by just 24 points, are fighting for third in the constructors' table.

There could also be a flurry of driver announcements.

Thailand's Alexander Albon is not yet been confirmed alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull with Perez and Germany’s Nico Hulkenberg within the frame as potential replacements.

Japanese Formula Two racer Yuki Tsunoda looks set to replace Russian Daniil Kvyat alongside Pierre Gasly at Red Bull-owned AlphaTauri.

American outfit Haas are yet to announce their 2021 drivers with Ferrari-backed Formula Two championship leader Mick Schumacher, son of Michael, in the frame.

Hamilton, out of contract at the end of the year, can also be yet to sign a brand new deal with Mercedes.

Sunday's race, like most this season, is going to be closed to fans due to the COVID-19 pandemic but organizers are putting away a restricted number of grandstand seats for that families of health workers.