Coulthard Questions Hamilton's Ferrari Excuses, Suggests He's Past Peak

Coulthard Challenges Hamilton's "Alien" Car Excuse

David Coulthard openly questions Lewis Hamilton's explanation that the Ferrari F1 car feels "alien" to him. The former F1 driver dismisses the excuse, pointing out that fundamentally, "a power unit is a power unit, downforce is downforce." Instead, Coulthard speculates whether Hamilton's ongoing difficulties adapting to the SF-25 are a sign that the seven-time world champion is past his prime in Formula 1.

Why It Matters: A Champion's Decline?

After 12 seasons with Mercedes and 18 years utilizing Mercedes engines, Hamilton embarked on a new challenge for the F1 2025 championship, signing a multi-year deal with Ferrari. However, 16 races into his Ferrari career, Hamilton has yet to secure a grand prix podium, conceding his adaptation has been tougher than anticipated. This struggle has prompted a significant debate about his current form.

Hamilton's Perspective: An "Alien" Driving Style

Hamilton acknowledged the difficulties at the Italian Grand Prix, stating, "Ultimately, that's driving kind of an alien driving style, with a car that I'm not 100 per cent comfortable with." He elaborated, contrasting it with his past experiences: "In my previous years, I was a part of a car that you're evolving over time. You're comfortable with it, and know the driving style inside and out. This year, I'm arriving at the track and having to apply this new driving style that's still alien to me. It doesn't feel natural."

Coulthard's Counterpoint: Back to Basics

Coulthard, however, views Hamilton's repeated explanations as a potential cover for a driver past his peak. On Channel 4, he noted, "It just feels that off the back of the end of his Mercedes run alongside George, he'd lost his mojo there." He added, "We hoped that he would rediscover it at Ferrari... but it just hasn't worked out." Coulthard emphasized that F1 is fundamentally about a driver's ability to master the machine: "I struggle to buy into the whole change your culture. It's a race car, right, left, throttle, brake... When you break this sport down to its simplest forms, it's about human and machine, and the very best at their peak are able to master that. So the question is, and I’m going to say it, is he past his peak?"

The Numbers Don't Lie: Hamilton vs. Leclerc

The statistics this season paint a clear picture of Hamilton's struggles against his teammate, Charles Leclerc:

• Qualifying: Hamilton trails Leclerc 14-5 (including Sprint quali).
• Races: Hamilton is behind Leclerc 4-14 (Grand Prix and Sprints, excluding China due to double DSQ).
• Drivers' Standings: Hamilton is 46 points adrift of Leclerc.

Broader Context: Ferrari's Season Performance

While the focus is on Hamilton, Coulthard concedes that not all blame rests solely on the Briton. Ferrari, despite high expectations from both pundits and the team itself at the start of F1 2025, has largely fallen short. "It feels that other than that little flash of brilliance in the Sprint in China for Hamilton, and then the unbelievable pole position from Leclerc in Budapest, they’ve been kind of used to the fact that they’re the best team, maybe," Coulthard commented. Ferrari currently holds second place in the Constructors' Championship after Monza with 280 points, 20 ahead of Mercedes, but has yet to secure a grand prix win this season.