Coulthard dismisses Hamilton Mercedes regret talk

David Coulthard believes Lewis Hamilton is fully focused on his Ferrari future and not looking back at Mercedes' strong start, despite the Scuderia still trailing his former team in the championship. The 13-time grand prix winner described Hamilton as being "on the hamster wheel" of competition, solely concentrated on extracting the maximum from his current opportunity in red.

Why it matters:

Hamilton's high-profile move to Ferrari was the story of the 2024 silly season, making any comparison between his current and former teams a major narrative. With Mercedes securing one-two finishes and leading the constructors' standings, speculation naturally arises about potential regret. Coulthard's perspective cuts through that noise, focusing on the relentless mindset of a top driver still chasing a record eighth title.

The details:

• Coulthard firmly rejected the idea Hamilton is second-guessing his move, stating a racer's mind is "all about the here and now."
• He praised Hamilton's resilience in bouncing back from a "hugely emotionally disappointing" first year with Ferrari to return to the podium in China, proving he is "not done."
• The analyst suggested Hamilton's departure actually benefited Mercedes by sparing Team Principal Toto Wolff a difficult conversation about eventually moving on from the seven-time champion.
• Coulthard highlighted Hamilton's Chinese GP performance as a "masterclass," particularly his management of a one-stop strategy to hold off a charging Charles Leclerc.
• He noted Hamilton seems happier and better adapted to the current generation of cars, which reportedly suit his driving style more than the previous era.

What's next:

The immediate focus is whether Hamilton can convert podium pace into a race win with Ferrari this season, a result that would powerfully validate his decision.

• Coulthard posits that a victory could fuel Hamilton's belief in a 2025 championship challenge, potentially influencing his motivation to continue racing beyond his current contract.
• The underlying team battle continues, with Ferrari needing to close the performance gap to Mercedes to consistently fight at the very front and fully unlock Hamilton's title ambitions.