Hamilton receives ‘controversial’ criticism as Ferrari sent warning……read more
David Coulthard, a former F1 driver, has sparked controversy by naming Lewis Hamilton as the “biggest disappointment” for the 2024 season. This statement comes despite Hamilton’s illustrious career, which includes seven world championships and 105 race wins. Coulthard, speaking on Viaplay, explained that he had never seen Hamilton perform in such a lackluster manner as he did in the 2023 season.
Hamilton, who finished seventh in the F1 drivers’ standings last year, was outpaced by his younger teammate, George Russell. In fact, Russell ended the season with 22 more points than Hamilton and dominated their head-to-head battles. The younger Briton out-qualified Hamilton 19-5, and also outperformed him in the races, securing a 15-9 victory in their direct match-ups. Coulthard pointed out that Hamilton’s inability to extract maximum speed from the Mercedes W14 car was a major factor in his underwhelming performance. The former Red Bull driver emphasized that great drivers are capable of finding extra speed when it counts, particularly in qualifying. Yet Hamilton struggled to do so in 2023, which added to the disappointment surrounding his season.
However, Hamilton’s performance last year has been overshadowed by his big announcement in February 2024 that he will be joining Ferrari in 2025. This news has generated a lot of excitement, marking one of the biggest driver moves in recent F1 history. Coulthard acknowledged the buzz surrounding Hamilton’s switch to Ferrari but warned that the Scuderia should be concerned about how Hamilton fared in 2023. The performance data does not lie, and at the moment, Hamilton’s lap times are not up to the standard expected of someone with his talent.
Coulthard did, however, offer some hope for Hamilton and Ferrari. He suggested that the change could be exactly what Hamilton needs to rejuvenate his career. Just as a superhero transforms when they don their iconic suit, Coulthard believed that wearing the red Ferrari suit might inspire Hamilton to perform at his best once again. The move could serve as a fresh start, motivating him to find that extra edge in his driving.
As for Ferrari, Coulthard noted that the team’s shares saw a significant rise following Hamilton’s announcement, indicating the massive interest generated by the move. The decision to bring Hamilton on board could already be paying dividends in terms of public relations and brand value. However, he cautioned that Formula 1 is a sport driven by data, and Ferrari must ensure that Hamilton’s arrival doesn’t turn into a disappointment in terms of on-track performance. While the switch may be beneficial for Hamilton, it is clear that both the driver and the team have a lot of work to do to live up to the lofty expectations surrounding their partnership.
