David Coulthard shares his theory on the key to Lewis Hamilton’s longevity in F1

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Lewis Hamilton has seemingly returned to top form during his 20th season of racing in the pinnacle of single-seater racing, Formula 1, and David Coulthard believes he knows the key to the seven-time world champion’s incredible longevity.

The Ferrari ace is hoping to be in with a chance of securing a 10th victory at the British Grand Prix on Sunday, and Hamilton has already taken first blood over his rivals after securing pole position for Saturday’s Sprint race.

The change in attitude the F1 paddock has seen from Hamilton over recent months has been highly encouraging for those loyal to the seven-time world champion.

Last year ended amid a swathe of retirement rumours. In contrast, Hamilton declared his intent to remain with Ferrari until he claims that elusive eighth world title ahead of this weekend’s round of racing at Silverstone.

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David Coulthard thinks Lewis Hamilton’s ‘naivety’ is the key to his longevity in F1

During Channel 4’s coverage of this weekend’s British Grand Prix, 13-time F1 race winner David Coulthard was asked for his thoughts on what has changed this year that Hamilton can attribute to his turnaround in form from last year.

“I think it’s more the generation of cars, because, actually, when you look at the percentage of the year that the drivers spend at the factory, it’s tiny, they’re hardly there,” Coulthard began (16:13 03/07).

Ahead of the beginning of the current campaign, it was widely expected that Hamilton would get on with the new regulations better than he had with the previous ground-effect generation of rules. Fast forward a few months, and Martin Brundle has been proved right.

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“They’re mainly at the racetrack, they’re all at those other events, and we know that Lewis is now not doing the simulator, which I completely get; it doesn’t work for him,” Coulthard continued. “It’s actually about reality, that’s where the performance is for him.

“What’s interesting, I think, is Lewis, despite his amazing success, his career-defining success, is still a little, not insecure, but he’s a sensitive soul. He’s saying, ‘Oh, the media perception has turned around.’ Of course it has; he’s winning.

“When you’re not winning, it’s the same for all of us; people will question you. And when you do win, people praise; that is the world over in every sport and every business.

“So the fact that he talks about it as if it’s kind of a surprise shows a naivety, which is probably what gives him the energy to keep going after 20 years.”