David Coulthard Questions Lewis Hamilton's Peak Performance at Ferrari

Former F1 driver David Coulthard has publicly questioned whether seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton is "past his peak," citing his current performance at Ferrari. Coulthard believes Hamilton has "lost his mojo" and hasn't rediscovered it since his move to the Scuderia.

Why it matters:

Lewis Hamilton's highly anticipated move to Ferrari was expected to re-energize the champion. However, his consistent statistical disadvantage to teammate Charles Leclerc has fueled debate about his current form, particularly as he prepares for the pivotal 2026 regulation changes.

The big picture:

Coulthard's comments stem from Hamilton's struggle to consistently outperform Leclerc. He noted Hamilton had "lost his mojo" towards the end of his Mercedes stint and hasn't found it at Ferrari, despite the "power of the Tifosi."

The details:

• Statistical Disparity: Coulthard emphasizes that his assessment is based on facts, not opinion. Hamilton consistently trails Leclerc in key metrics, including the number of poles, podium finishes, points finishes, and overall points tally.
• "Human and Machine" Mastery: Coulthard dismisses excuses related to car culture, stating, "It’s a race car, right, left, throttle, brake... a power unit is a power unit. Downforce is downforce." He argues the sport ultimately comes down to the driver's ability to master the machine at their peak.
• Direct Question: Coulthard directly posed the question: "So the question is, and I’m going to say it, is he past his peak?"

What's next:

Despite the challenges, Hamilton has shown a recent "upturn in performance," narrowing the gap to Leclerc in qualifying and races since the summer break. He is strategically positioning himself for the 2026 regulation overhaul, viewing it as a prime opportunity for Ferrari to contend for wins and titles. Hamilton currently trails Leclerc by 46 points in the Drivers' standings.