UNITED STATES: In the high-octane world of Formula 1, former racer David Coulthard is adamant that Lewis Hamilton is still operating at the peak of his abilities.
However, he believes that the current struggles lie not with Hamilton himself but with the underwhelming performance of the Mercedes W14 car.
Hamilton’s 2022 season was an exception, as he experienced a winless campaign for the first time in his illustrious F1 career. Unfortunately for him, Mercedes has also had a rocky start to the 2023 season.
The W14 needs to match the pace of Red Bull, making it a challenging task for Hamilton to enter the title picture, especially with the elusive record eighth World Championship within reach.
Adding to the pressure, Hamilton’s teammate George Russell has showcased his superior one-lap pace this season, outqualifying the legendary Hamilton with a 4-1 record.
However, Coulthard firmly believes it is not a decline in Hamilton’s abilities but the uncooperative W14 that is holding him back.
According to Coulthard, the W14 does not play to Hamilton’s strengths, leaving him struggling on the track. The car lacks stability and fails to communicate effectively with the seven-time champion.
Coulthard notes that the situation places Hamilton and Russell in different phases of their careers, with Russell benefiting from driving a car that suits his style while Hamilton grapples with frustrations over the underperforming vehicle and ongoing contract negotiations with Mercedes.
Coulthard anticipates that Hamilton will reveal his capabilities once he has a car that “talks to him” once more.
The former racer believes Russell will discover precisely why Hamilton is a record-equaling seven-time World Champion.
Acknowledging Russell’s impressive performance, Coulthard describes him as an asset for the team, unburdened by the same concerns as Hamilton.
The young driver has excelled in the best car he has ever driven, while Hamilton contends with additional pressures and uncertainties.
Coulthard emphasises that Hamilton is still doing an excellent job, but the unresponsive car hampers his performance.
Mercedes will introduce a revamped W14 for the upcoming Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola, a highly anticipated upgrade package.
Hamilton has eagerly awaited this update, counting down the days. Currently in fourth place in the Drivers’ Championship, Hamilton holds a 16-point advantage over Russell, who suffered a setback with a retirement in the Australian GP after leading earlier in the race.
As the F1 season progresses, all eyes are on Hamilton and his ability to overcome the limitations of the W14.
With a more responsive car, Hamilton aims to demonstrate to Russell and the world why he is a seven-time world champion, poised for even greater success.
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