Former Formula 1 driver David Coulthard has questioned if Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari will “tie in with his career timing”, due to his age and the team’s current problems.
The seven-time World Champion joined the Scuderia this year, after a whole year of anticipation and excitement having announced the switch early in 2024.
So far, Hamilton has struggled with the Italian giants, his Sprint win in China the standout moment so far.
In regular Grands Prix, the Brit has finished no higher than fourth, amid a myriad of struggles with the SF-25’s balance, a problem which has also plagued team-mate Charles Leclerc.
Speaking exclusively to Motorsport Week aboard the Corinthians Sports yacht ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix, 13-time GP-winner Coulthard said that Hamilton is the sort of driver every team would want to have on its roster, but due to the issues currently plaguing the team, wonders if he has joined at the right time.
“Any team would want a Lewis Hamilton in their in their cockpit,” Coulthard said, “him winning in the Sprint in China was a magical moment. Of course, the Grand Prix [China], we found out that they were disqualified on a Sunday because the car was working well at low ride heights and they can’t get away with that all the time, so that gives them a very clear direction as to what they have to fix.
“I think Charles has already been saying that it’s going to be difficult for all of them around here. I think the car last year was good at low speed, maybe not quite so stable at high. I think it’s the other way around here and obviously that’s not a great position for them to be in coming onto this racetrack.
“But Lewis, he doesn’t have to explain anything to anybody. The obvious question for all of us is: will the timing of Ferrari’s performance tie in with his career timing?
“He’s 40 years old, not many people have been getting better at 40.”
Will Imola prove to be the turning point ahead of Monaco?
Hamilton’s season-best fourth at Imola last weekend was a sign that, perhaps, the SF-25 is turning the corner.
Its key issue in some instances has been its inability to qualify well, nullifying its prospects on raceday. Hamilton qualified 12th, but a strong showing saw him move up the order to finish just outside the top three.
So far in Monaco, Ferrari has looked stronger, with Leclerc taking top spot in both free practice sessions so far, with Hamilton ending FP2 in third.
If focus on its one-lap pace has worked, and both Ferrari drivers can produce a good result, then Hamilton may have every chance of taking his fourth win on the famed principality.
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