Coulthard calls for ‘open mind’ on judging Hamilton’s 'final chapter'
Ex-F1 driver David Coulthard is urging fans and critics to keep an open mind when judging Lewis Hamilton’s upcoming journey with Ferrari, widely seen as the final chapter of his storied Formula 1 career.
At 39, with 356 grands prix under his belt and a record-tying seven world championships, Hamilton’s pursuit of an elusive eighth title—a record that would eclipse the mark he shares with Michael Schumacher—has taken him to Maranello.
The move, announced in February 2024, sent shockwaves through the paddock, igniting debates about his motivations, his legacy, and his twilight years in the sport.
Speaking recently on the RacingNews365 podcast, Coulthard described Hamilton’s Ferrari endeavor as a “Hollywood script,” blending excitement with a thoughtful take on the veteran’s recent struggles and the potential for a dramatic resurgence.
The Shadow of Fatigue at Mercedes
Coulthard doesn’t shy away from addressing the elephant in the room: Hamilton’s lackluster final seasons at Mercedes. After dominating the sport for years, the Briton seemed to falter as the team grappled with an uncompetitive car in the ground-effect era.
For Coulthard, this wasn’t just about machinery – it was perhaps also personal.
“The worrying thing about Lewis in the last couple of years was that he just didn’t seem to be as settled with the performance profile of the car,” he explained.
“[He might] have had racing driver fatigue. He’s been doing it for so long that he needed a change, which sometimes you need in life and relationships to rediscover that mojo.”
It’s a compelling theory. Hamilton’s career, spanning back to his debut with McLaren in Australia in 2007, has been a marathon of intensity, with only one race missed in eighteen seasons - the 2020 Sakhir GP due to COVID-19.
Perhaps the grind of nearly two decades, coupled with Mercedes’ struggles, dulled the spark that once made him untouchable.
Ferrari, with its incredible legacy and passionate tifosi, might just be the jolt he needs – a fresh start to reignite the fire.
A Hollywood Script
For Coulthard, Hamilton’s move transcends the sport itself.
“He certainly seems to be and it is a Hollywood script, Lewis going to Ferrari,” he said.
“He looks incredible, is defying his age in terms of how fit he is and comes off the back of being the most successful driver in the history of the sport.”
It’s easy to see why Coulthard likens this to a blockbuster. Hamilton, the global superstar with a flair for fashion and a penchant for defying expectations, joining Ferrari—the most iconic team in F1 history—is the kind of narrative that scriptwriters dream of.
Add in the stakes of that eighth title, and the plot thickens. This isn’t just a career move; it’s a gamble for immortality.
“There are so many things to be excited about,” added the Scot. Yet, he’s quick to temper that enthusiasm with pragmatism.
“But we just can’t write that final chapter yet, there will be a final chapter and it may be in two years, certainly within the next five.” The clock is ticking, but the ending remains unwritten.
An Open Mind for an Uncertain Legacy
Coulthard’s call for patience is where his analysis truly shines.
“There will be a final chapter and then we will be able to make that judgment, so I go into it with an open mind,” he reasoned.
It’s a plea for perspective in an era of snap judgments and hot takes. Hamilton’s Ferrari stint could end in triumph—an eighth title, a fairy-tale finish—or it could falter, leaving his legacy open to scrutiny.
Either way, Coulthard insists we wait and see.
“I go into it super excited and with full knowledge that no matter what any of us think, the potential and opportunity lie in his hands, in the hands of one of the greatest drivers in the history of the sport.”
This isn’t blind optimism—it’s faith in Hamilton’s proven greatness. Coulthard knows the weight of 103 wins, 104 pole positions, and a career that’s redefined what’s possible in F1.
He’s seen drivers rise and fall, and he recognizes that Hamilton’s story isn’t over until the checkered flag drops for the last time.
For now, the former McLaren and Red Bull driver invites us to embrace the uncertainty, to marvel at Hamilton’s audacity, and to hold off on judgment until the final credits roll.
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