David Coulthard raises alarm over concerning Lewis Hamilton pattern ahead of Ferrari move
Yesterday at 04:10 PM
Lewis Hamilton is preparing to enter what could be the defining final chapter of his legendary Formula 1 career.
For years, he may have questioned whether the dream of racing for Ferrari would ever become reality, but when Frederic Vasseur discovered Lewis Hamilton's interest in joining the Scuderia for 2025, he wasted no time in making it happen. Now, more than a year after announcing that 2024 would mark the end of his 12-season tenure with Mercedes, the Briton is set to embark on his first Grand Prix weekend clad in Ferrari's iconic red.
The seven-time Formula1 world champion would have undoubtedly hoped for a stronger farewell campaign with the Silver Arrows. However, his final season with Mercedes saw him endure his lowest-ever finish in the drivers' standings, placing him behind all but one of the top four teams' drivers—Sergio Perez, who ultimately lost his Red Bull seat.
Despite that disappointment, Hamilton appears reinvigorated at Ferrari, exuding a fresh sense of enthusiasm as he prepares for the Australian Grand Prix. F1 pundit Martin Brundle has even admitted he has never seen Hamilton as happy as he is now, suggesting this newfound energy could translate into stronger performances on track.
Yet, not everyone is entirely reassured. Former F1 driver David Coulthard, who raced against Hamilton early in his career and has followed his rise to becoming the sport's most successful driver, has voiced concerns about a particular trend he has noticed in Hamilton's recent seasons at Mercedes. Speaking on the *RacingNews365* podcast, David Coulthard revealed what has left him 'worried' about Hamilton's form ahead of his Ferrari debut.
David Coulthard was asked about the seven-time world champion’s move over the winter and explained that drivers always find a way to maximize their potential. He noted that exceptional drivers, like Lewis Hamilton, take this to an even higher level. However, Coulthard mentioned that in the past couple of years, there seemed to be a sense of unease with Hamilton’s connection to the car’s performance, which he found worrying.
He suggested that this could be due to racing driver fatigue after Hamilton's long career, which might have made him crave a change. The former Formula 1 driver reflected that sometimes in life, work, or relationships, a change is necessary to rediscover one’s motivation, and it appears that Hamilton has found that with his move to Ferrari. He described the situation almost like a “Hollywood script,” highlighting how incredible Hamilton looks, defying his age with his fitness.
Coulthard also pointed out that Lewis Hamilton's record as the most successful driver in F1 history brings even more excitement to his new chapter. He emphasized that there are many reasons to be excited about Hamilton's future, but he believes it's still too early to write the final chapter of his career. According to David Coulthard, while Hamilton's career will eventually reach its conclusion—possibly within the next five years—it's still too soon to make a judgment about his legacy.
Lewis Hamilton may have already sidestepped the same mistake that Fernando Alonso made during his time at Ferrari, potentially positioning himself to achieve greater success with the team. Ferrari has been without a Formula 1 World Champion since 2007, when Kimi Raikkonen narrowly triumphed over Hamilton and his McLaren teammate Fernando Alonso in the final race of the season.
The Briton went on to claim his first World Championship title in 2008, defeating Felipe Massa in one of the most dramatic title deciders in F1 history. Since then, several other former world champions have attempted to break Ferrari's long-standing championship drought, yet none have succeeded. Both Alonso and Sebastian Vettel were unable to capture the coveted title while driving for the Scuderia, despite their impressive careers. Even Charles Leclerc, widely regarded as a potential world champion, has come up short, highlighting the difficulty of winning with the Italian team.
However, the seven-time F1 world champion, in his early days at Ferrari, has already avoided one key mistake that Alonso made during his own time with the team. Alonso's first win with Ferrari came at the 2010 Bahrain Grand Prix, marking a memorable moment in his career. As Lewis Hamilton prepares for the upcoming race weekend, he undoubtedly hopes to replicate that remarkable achievement, potentially marking his own victory for the Scuderia at this iconic race.
This early success could set the tone for Hamilton's Ferrari journey, as he seeks to end the team's 16-year wait for another driver's championship.
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