David Coulthard has raised concerns regarding whether Lewis Hamilton has lost the crucial “half a tenth” that once set him apart from his teammates. As Hamilton embarks on his 20th season in Formula 1 at the age of 41, the seven-time world champion is in pursuit of an unprecedented eighth title, aiming to surpass the legendary Michael Schumacher.
Hamilton last claimed the championship title in 2020, after which he was overtaken by Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen. Since then, Verstappen has dominated the sport, securing three consecutive titles. The competitive landscape further shifted when Lando Norris clinched the championship in 2025. In stark contrast, Hamilton has struggled with the transition to ground-effect cars, managing only two race victories over the past four years. Last season marked a particularly challenging period, as he not only failed to win a race during his first year with Ferrari but also did not secure a podium finish. This resulted in Hamilton losing head-to-head battles against teammates George Russell and Charles Leclerc.
Coulthard, reflecting on Hamilton’s situation, expressed his concerns on the Up To Speed podcast. He compared Hamilton’s current challenges to his own retirement at the age of 37 in 2008, stating, “When the stopwatch stopped talking to me and the lap times weren’t there anymore, I realised you just lose that edge.” He added that in sports, losing even a slight advantage, such as “losing a yard,” can significantly impact performance. Coulthard noted that Hamilton has not displayed the dominant form against teammates that characterized his career for the previous 15 years.
The former driver also speculated on whether Hamilton’s struggles with Ferrari are partly linked to changes in his support team. After 12 successful years with Mercedes, Hamilton transitioned to Ferrari, where he had to adjust to a new race engineer, Riccardo Adami. Their partnership lasted only one season before Ferrari reassigned Adami to a different role, citing a lack of synergy. Currently, Hamilton is working with Carlo Santi, while reports suggest that Cedric Michel-Grosjean may take over as his engineer in the near future.
Coulthard pointed out the importance of the driver-engineer relationship, emphasizing that engineers serve as essential supporters in a driver’s performance. “The relationship with your engineer is the most important in the team,” he stated, underscoring that they are the ones who advocate for the driver regarding new car parts and strategic decisions on race day.
As Hamilton navigates this new chapter in his illustrious career with Ferrari, the question remains whether he can regain the competitive edge that once made him a formidable force on the track. Observers will be keen to see how Hamilton adapts and if he can reclaim his status among the elite in Formula 1.
