London - Michael Schumacher believes Lewis Hamilton could one day beat his record of seven Formula One world titles.

"I would say, absolutely, yes," the former Ferrari driver told the BBC in an interview to be broadcast later Monday.

"Nobody thought, even me, that I could beat (Juan Manuel) Fangio. Then I did. Records are there to be beaten."

McLaren-Mercedes driver Hamilton heads into Sunday's final race of the season, the Brazilian Grand Prix in Interlagos, seven points clear of nearest rival Felipe Massa of Ferrari and needs just a fifth-place finish to be crowned the youngest ever F1 world champion at the age of 23.

"When you think about what he has done in such a short time - just arriving and competing last year with (former McLaren teammate Fernando) Alonso and being very often quicker - that talks for itself," said the 39-year-old Schumacher, who rejected the possibility of ever making a comeback to F1.