David Coulthard has shared his thoughts on Lewis Hamilton’s big move to Ferrari for the 2025 F1 season, suggesting that while the seven-time World Champion may still have what it takes, it remains to be seen whether Ferrari will get the “prime” version of Hamilton. The former McLaren and Red Bull driver believes Hamilton’s switch may have been influenced by frustration, raising questions about whether age and the challenge of adapting to a new team will affect his performance.
A Fresh Challenge
In one of the most surprising moves of the offseason, Lewis Hamilton announced that he would be leaving Mercedes after more than a decade with the team. The British driver will join Ferrari, where he will partner with the talented Charles Leclerc. This marks a dramatic change in Hamilton’s career, as he transitions to a new team and a fresh challenge, after years of dominance with Mercedes.
Hamilton’s legacy with Mercedes is unquestionable: six titles since 2014, adding to his 2008 victory with McLaren, making him one of the greatest drivers in F1 history. But with Mercedes struggling to keep up with Red Bull under the current regulations, Hamilton is seeking a new challenge in Maranello.
“Lewis Has Nothing to Prove”
David Coulthard, speaking at the Red Bull Showrun in Galway, Ireland, reflected on Hamilton’s decision to leave Mercedes and join Ferrari. Coulthard emphasized that Hamilton has already cemented his place as one of F1’s all-time greats, with seven titles to his name.
“He’s a seven-time World Champion. He could have been nine or ten, you know, because he’s been pretty close on other occasions,” Coulthard said. “But whatever he does, there’ll be someone who betters it in the future because every generation should be better.”
Despite the accolades, Coulthard believes Hamilton’s move to Ferrari could be emotional, stemming from dissatisfaction with his current situation at Mercedes. He hinted that Hamilton might be searching for something more than just another title – a chance to reignite his passion for racing and prove himself in a new environment.
Is Hamilton Still at His Best?
However, Coulthard also warned that Ferrari may not be getting the “prime” Lewis Hamilton fans are hoping for. Hamilton will face a steep challenge in adapting to Ferrari’s team dynamics, especially with Leclerc in the mix. Coulthard suggested that while Hamilton is still a top driver, he may no longer be the fastest on the grid.
“I suspect the move was slightly emotional and in a frustrated place,” Coulthard commented. “Some relationships, over time, become a bit stale.”
The Scotsman drew a comparison to Michael Schumacher’s return to Mercedes, where the team hoped to rekindle his Ferrari-era glory, only to realize that they were getting a “good” Schumacher, not the dominant force of his prime years. Coulthard warned that Ferrari may face a similar fate with Hamilton: getting a “good” Hamilton, but not the unbeatable version of the past.
Hamilton has been outperformed by his teammate George Russell at Mercedes this year, particularly in qualifying. Coulthard acknowledged Hamilton’s enduring skill but noted that losing even a slight edge in speed could impact his performance, especially in the ultra-competitive F1 field.
Will Hamilton Overcome Leclerc?
The biggest challenge Hamilton will face at Ferrari, according to Coulthard, is outqualifying Charles Leclerc, who is still in his prime at 26 years old. Leclerc has been a consistent performer for Ferrari and has the speed and talent to compete at the highest level. Coulthard believes that Hamilton will need to overcome the Leclerc challenge if he hopes to truly make his mark at Ferrari.
“Lewis may well not quite deliver what he’s hoping for because, first of all, he’s got to outqualify Charles,” Coulthard added. “Charles, at 26/27, is still pretty handy, and that may make it difficult for Lewis.”
Can Hamilton Rekindle His Magic at Ferrari?
As Hamilton prepares for his move to Ferrari in 2025, David Coulthard’s comments highlight the uncertainty surrounding Hamilton’s ability to maintain his previous dominance. While Hamilton has nothing left to prove in terms of titles, the challenge of adapting to a new team and competing against a fast and talented driver like Leclerc could prove difficult.
Ferrari may get a “good” Hamilton, but whether they get the “prime” version remains to be seen. As Hamilton enters this new chapter, it will be fascinating to see if he can rekindle the magic that made him one of the most successful drivers in Formula 1 history, or if age and shifting team dynamics will prevent him from reaching the heights he once did with Mercedes.
