David Coulthard claims Lewis Hamilton‘s glory days are over! The Brit has had a disappointing first season in Ferrari red, failing to reach the podium in any major race. Coulthard also asserts that Hamilton can no longer beat his teammates, concluding, ‘Lewis no longer has the pure speed.’
Coulthard, a former F1 driver himself from 1994 to 2008, knows exactly what it takes to be championship material. In a recent episode of the Red Flags podcast, the ex-driver, who raced for teams like Red Bull, was asked about his favorite world champions. The Scot’s answer was clear when it came to choosing between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen.
Max Verstappen: The Evolution of a Champion
“I’m rooting for Max, and that won’t surprise those who know me—whether they like me or not,” he explains. “Every generation should be better than the last. That’s what evolution is.”
He continues, “I believe there’s a cross-pollination between generations, and Hamilton has been incredible. But there’s also a bit of a gap in some respects. I find Max very down-to-earth. When he’s here, he’s just Max. He’s present, and we know when he’s giving interviews and press conferences. If he’s not happy, he says so, and he’s not shy about it. He stands by his beliefs, whether he’s happy or sad.”
Is Hamilton Still at His Peak?
Coulthard then takes a hard look at Hamilton’s current career status. The Scot candidly admits he’s unsure if the driver is “still at the top of his game” as he embarks on his second season in Ferrari red. “The greats need to match or surpass their teammates. And if I’m not mistaken, Lewis hasn’t done that in recent years, first with George Russell at Mercedes, and now with Charles Leclerc at Ferrari. I think Lewis may not have the pure speed anymore. But you have to give him immense respect. Max, on the other hand, still seems to be developing; it feels like there’s even more in him.”
