The one word David Coulthard would use to describe Formula 1 legend Lewis Hamilton

Follow us on Google Discover

Lewis Hamilton is the most successful driver in the history of Formula 1. Level with Michael Schumacher on seven world championships, he holds the record for race wins and podiums.

Hamilton is the only driver to reach 100 victories. He recently went two and a half years without standing on the top step but he increased his career haul to 105 with quickfire wins in Great Britain and Belgium.

His four podiums in 2024 have also lifted him beyond the 200 mark, which is again unprecedented. He’s now 46 clear of nearest challenger Schumacher, with Sebastian Vettel third on 122.

Hamilton will feel he can establish himself as the undisputed ‘GOAT’ – the greatest of all time – by winning an eighth title. To that end, he’s joined Ferrari in surely the biggest driver transfer F1 has ever seen.

He knows he’ll have to beat Charles Leclerc, one of the fastest and most talented drivers of the 21st century. Leclerc has only won seven races so far but has never had the luxury of dominant machinery and clearly has the speed required to become a champion.

Recent events have led critics to argue that Hamilton is past his best. For instance, he trails teammate George Russell 13-5 in qualifying this year, suggesting he may not be able to extract the maximum from the current generation of cars over a single lap.

David Coulthard believes Lewis Hamilton has ‘met his match’ in Max Verstappen

Playing a game of word association with Motorsport.com, David Coulthard was asked what comes to mind when he hears ‘Lewis Hamilton’. He instantly labelled him the GOAT.

However, he does think that Red Bull’s Max Verstappen is the same calibre of driver. They were involved in one of Formula 1’s greatest title battles in 2021.

Memories of that epic season have been tarnished by what happened in the Abu Dhabi title-decider. An error from FIA race director Michael Masi was key in Verstappen winning the title.

Hamilton hasn’t had the tools to compete with the dominant Dutchman since. But he’ll be out for revenge if Ferrari and Red Bull go head-to-head for the title in the next couple of years.

“GOAT is the thing that comes [to mind], which slightly contradicts what I was saying about Max,” Coulthard said of Hamilton. “The reason why ‘GOAT’ comes is because that’s how he’s been placed over his generation. I think in Max he’s met his match. I think goats come in herds.”

Mercedes could have axed Lewis Hamilton for Kimi Antonelli and one contract clause proves it

Toto Wolff says Hamilton’s exit will have ‘extraordinary consequences’, with Mercedes signing teenager Kimi Antonelli as his replacement. The 18-year-old will become the third-youngest driver in F1 history.

Hamilton is a complete driver, while Antonelli will still be raw, as his crash on his FP1 debut Monza demonstrated. That will be an adjustment for the whole team.

But Wolff sees Antonelli as a Verstappen-level talent. He’ll be ready to put up with the inevitable mistakes next year because he knows just how good the Italian could be.

Indeed, Will Buxton says Mercedes could have parted with Hamilton of their own accord at the end of 2024, such is their level of confidence in Antonelli. That’s why they were happy to give the 39-year-old a one-plus-one contract.