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With Mercedes back to being the most dominant team on the grid, does Lewis Hamilton regret leaving the team to join Ferrari?
Despite Mercedes securing another one-two in Shanghai, much of the talk coming out of this weekend was the success of Lewis Hamilton.
Hamilton secured his first podium since joining Ferrari, finishing P3 behind Antonelli and George Russell after a brilliant performance.
A maiden Grand Prix win for Kimi Antonelli, as well as a first podium appearance for Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari! 🍾
What was your favourite moment of Antonelli's debut win?
Hamilton has looked re-energised this season, showing glimpses of the form he had when he was at the top of the sport with Mercedes.
But seeing Mercedes, his former team, ahead of him on the podium and ahead of Ferrari in the standings, could make him reconsider his decision to leave. But David Coulthard thinks he is above that.
READ MORE: Peter Bonnington explains the ‘different vibe’ of working with Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Antonelli
David Coulthard says Lewis Hamilton won’t regret leaving Mercedes for Ferrari
Speaking on the Up to Speed podcast, David Coulthard was asked whether Lewis Hamilton would be looking at Mercedes with envy after their incredible start to the season.
Coulthard noted that Hamilton won’t regret the move to Ferrari right now, especially as he did both himself and Mercedes a favour by moving on. And if Ferrari can continue improving, the decision will be vindicated even further.
“No, I think the mind of a sports person, more specifically a racing driver, is all about the here and now. He may reflect when his career is eventually over on decisions he’s made.”
“But right now, he’s on the hamster wheel. He’s part of this. It was huge news when he signed to go to Ferrari. It was a hugely emotionally disappointing year last year.”
“We were all sort of going, ‘Is he done?’ And to his credit, he’s come and shown us he’s not done. That is forever the game.”
“I think he’s made it easier for Mercedes by leaving to go to Ferrari. That would have been difficult for Toto to eventually say, ‘Lewis, we need to move on. We need the next generation.’ So that’s like one box ticked in terms of Mercedes being released.”
“And if he continues like this this year, then podiums, maybe a win, and then will that make him go again thinking he can get a championship next year?”
READ MORE: Ferrari axed ‘borderline’ part from Lewis Hamilton’s car after Chinese GP disqualification warning
Some sensational performances in Shanghai 🔥 Who is your pick for Driver of the Day at the Chinese Grand Prix?
David Coulthard believes Ferrari are an ‘annoyance’ to Mercedes rather than rivals this season
David Coulthard also looked at Ferrari’s chances of competing with Mercedes. While he didn’t rule it out in the future, Coulthard admitted that Ferrari just don’t have enough to pose a threat to them just yet.
“All the teams have had the opportunity to put their best foot forward. Ferrari have put on track the second-best car at the moment.”
“They’re an annoyance to Mercedes, but they don’t have the pace in the first two Grand Prixs to beat them over that duration. But what we have seen is Hamilton, somehow, adapting to this set of regulations.”
“And although Leclerc came back stronger in the second half of the race in Melbourne, I was watching from the commentary box, thinking when Leclerc was going to come. Leclerc didn’t. That was a Hamilton masterclass in a one-stop race.”
Ferrari axed some parts from Hamilton’s car ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix to avoid any controversy after the race, like last year.
Perhaps after the Japanese Grand Prix, Ferrari will work on upgrades that can help close the gap between them and Mercedes, thus leading to a far more competitive season between the two.
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