Ex-F1 driver declares Lewis Hamilton ‘lost a yard’ over his age before Ferrari switch
David Coulthard indicated that age will have had a toll on Lewis Hamilton as the 39-year-old moves to Ferrari next season.
Follow Us
Lewis Hamilton (via IMAGO), Ferrari logo (via Ferrari)
Lewis Hamilton will race for Scuderia Ferrari from 2025. The 39-year-old decided to make one last team switch before retiring from the pinnacle of motorsport. Although, former F1 driver David Coulthard insists that age will have an impact on Hamilton’s performance next year.
Coulthard highlighted that the main talent of the greatest drivers in F1 history has been the sheer ability to excel in Qualifying and the race. However, the 53-year-old cited that at 40, Lewis Hamilton would’ve lost a yard in Footballing terms compared to a young Charles Leclerc.
The key ingredient of all of the greats over the history of time has been to be able to qualify and race. And if Lewis, at 40 years old, has lost a yard in footballing terms.
David Coulthard told The Mirror
Moreover, David Coulthard reckoned that Hamilton might struggle to even match Leclerc as his teammate at the Scuderia next season. The Monegasque driver has already expressed his confidence in matching the 39-year-old from the get-go.
He may well struggle to beat Charles over the course of a year.
David Coulthard added
Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari campaign ‘in his hands’
The former Red Bull driver emphasized that Lewis Hamilton’s future at Ferrari depends on him. The seven-time world champion won’t be impacted by comments in the media. Rather, David Coulthard asserted that it was in Hamilton’s hands to prove himself still being capable of winning in Formula 1 alongside someone like Leclerc.
That is a legitimate question that anyone should be asking, but it is for him to show us. It is not about us putting him down and saying he cannot do it, because it is in his hands.
David Coulthard explained
Certainly, Lewis Hamilton’s move to the Scuderia will remain one of the biggest talking points next season. The 39-year-old would be looking to move on from a disappointing 2024 campaign with Mercedes. However, it remains to be seen how things pan out between Hamilton and Leclerc next season.
Stay Updated!
Armaan Agarwal
(2308 Articles Published)