Coulthard Claims Hamilton Is Past His Peak, Favors Verstappen

Former F1 driver David Coulthard has sparked debate by claiming that Lewis Hamilton is no longer operating at his absolute peak. In a candid assessment on a podcast, Coulthard argued that while Hamilton is an all-time great, his current form doesn't match that of Max Verstappen, whom he crowned as the sport's current top driver based on recent performance and trajectory.

Why it matters:

Coulthard's comments add fuel to the ongoing narrative surrounding Hamilton's legacy as he prepares for a monumental move to Ferrari in 2025. For a driver of Hamilton's stature, being questioned about his peak performance is significant, and his ability to answer these critics on track with a new team will be a defining storyline for the next season and a critical test of his enduring greatness.

The details:

• Teammate Tussles: Coulthard’s core argument is based on head-to-head performance, suggesting Hamilton has recently been outperformed. He noted that Hamilton didn't consistently beat George Russell at Mercedes and hasn't appeared to have the edge over new Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc in early comparisons.
• The Stopwatch Test: The former driver emphasized that F1's ultimate metrics are qualifying pace ("the stopwatch") and race wins ("the chequered flag"). He implied that Hamilton's outright one-lap speed may have diminished compared to his prime, a crucial factor in modern F1.
• Verstappen's Trajectory: Coulthard contrasted Hamilton with Verstappen, describing the three-time world champion as more "present" and "grounded," and still on an upward trajectory in his career. He believes every generation should improve, and Verstappen represents that evolution.
• A Provocative Stance: Coulthard acknowledged the controversy of his statement, admitting it's "controversial for a loser like me to dare to say that," but stood by his assessment based on the sport's most basic metrics of performance.

Looking ahead:

The ultimate test of Coulthard's theory will begin in 2025 when Hamilton steps into the Ferrari. The move to Maranello represents a fresh start and a chance to silence his critics against a top-tier teammate in Charles Leclerc. While history shows that counting out a 105-time Grand Prix winner is unwise, the pressure will be on for Hamilton to prove he is still at the pinnacle of the sport.