`Lewis Hamilton can surpass Michael Schumacher’s achievements`

London: Legendary Formula One driver Niki Lauda has claimed Mercedes’ new recruit Lewis Hamilton has the abilities to surpass great German Michael Schumacher’s achievements.

Lauda, non-executive chairman for the Silver Arrows, said Hamilton is the best driver in the world after the Englishman quit McLaren to sign a three-year deal with Mercedes. “If Michael Schumacher could not get the Mercedes team – for three years running – up front and next year Lewis is doing much better, this makes a huge impact on his personality,” a leading daily quoted Lauda, as saying. "And people will rate him much higher than he is now,” he added. ANI