11/06/2025 15:20
David Coulthard has revealed that he was "totally confused" by
Lewis Hamilton's staggering switch from Mercedes to Ferrari, which
was announced ahead of the 2024 F1 season. Hamilton confirmed his
move to Maranello before what turned out to be his final campaign
with Mercedes, in what became a farewell year for the partnership.
However, since moving to Ferrari, Hamilton has mostly failed to
live up to expectations, having struggled to adjust to the SF-25.
He has been slower than Charles Leclerc on a regular basis, despite
having claimed sprint pole and sprint victory in Shanghai – a grand
prix podium for Ferrari is yet to be achieved. Hamilton leaving
Mercedes came as a surprise to many, with most having believed that
the seven-time world champion would retire as a Silver Arrows
driver. Coulthard compared the Briton's move to Ferrari to Michael
Schumacher's return to F1 with Mercedes, due to both drivers having
ended strong relationships. "I always felt that Lewis had developed
a special bond and loyalty with Mercedes," Coulthard told BILD .
"Therefore, I was totally confused when I heard about his switch.
"It was a bit like Michael Schumacher's Formula 1 comeback at
Mercedes, after he had built up something so great with Ferrari."
Coulthard added: "At the end of the day, it's Lewis' path, his
story, his book that he writes. Maybe he'll win a Grand Prix, maybe
he'll win a championship - but maybe he won't." Ahead of this
weekend's Canadian Grand Prix, Hamilton sits sixth in the drivers'
title and 23 points adrift of Leclerc; however, he is 115 points
behind championship leader Oscar Piastri. As a result, Coulthard
is not expecting an eighth title for Hamilton this season. "No, it
doesn't look like it," said the Scotsman.
