David Coulthard does not know what level Lewis Hamilton will be at Ferrari for his debut in red. The Mercedes F1 driver will join the Scuderia, and the former McLaren and Red Bull resident questions the seven-time world champion's ability to add crowns to his record.
“It's an interesting question because Lewis has nothing to prove. He was a seven-time world champion.” Coulthard said. “He could have been nine or ten times, because he was very close to the goal on other occasions.”
“Personally, I don't think it's the number of titles that defines the greatness of a pilot. I know the history books need that, don't they? They need it has eight, for him to be the undisputed world champion.”
“But whatever he does, someone will surpass him in the future, because every generation has to be better. Otherwise, we wouldn't have evolved as human beings! So it's not about try to replicate what he accomplished.”
However, The Scotsman questions Hamilton's ability to be fast, and the reasons for his transfer: “I think the signing was done out of emotion and in a context of frustration. Some relationships, over time, become a little empty. He obviously saw the opportunity offered to him at Ferrari
“I think it's a bit like when Mercedes managed to bring Michael back [Schumacher]. They thought they were getting the Michael from the Ferrari days, but they found out they just had a good Michael.”
“Ferrari could do with a good Lewis. A good Lewis is always very useful, but he has been consistently outplayed by George this year – maybe not in the championship points table, but in terms of qualifying and such. “
“What I lacked in my career is qualifying speed. If I look at the fastest drivers, Mika [Häkkinen]Like [Räikkönen]Michael, Ayrton [Senna] and everyone that's a part of it, those guys just have speed.”
“The minute they lose that little bit of speed… I'm not a big football fan, but I've heard the analogy of a striker losing a meter – the thing that got them there and to put the ball in the back of the net because they were just a little bit quicker.”
“The minute they lose that speed… they're still brilliant, but they're not as brilliant as they used to be. So Lewis might not live up to his expectations because he has to outclass Charles first. I think Charles, at 26 or 27, is still very skilled, which could make it difficult for Lewis.”
