Coulthard convinced:

Lewis Hamilton was driven by frustration

David Coulthard (l.) has commented on Lewis Hamilton's switch to Ferrari.(Bild: GEPA)

"I suspect that the switch was emotional and the result of frustration," says David Coulthard, who believes that Lewis Hamilton decided to switch to Ferrari not because of the promising opportunities, but because of the lack of success at Mercedes.

"Some relationships get a bit stale over time. He obviously saw the opportunity at Ferrari like Mercedes did when they brought Michael Schumacher back. They thought they were getting Michael from his Ferrari days, but they then realized they were only getting a good Michael. Ferrari could end up with just a good Lewis. A good Lewis is still pretty good, but he's been regularly outshone by George (Russell, ed.) this year," said the 2001 world championship runner-up at a Red Bull showrun in Galway.

Leclerc "could make it difficult for Lewis"
The Scot is convinced that a similar scenario could also threaten Hamilton at the Scuderia. "Lewis might not be able to deliver what he's hoping for. He has to get Charles (Leclerc, ed.) first, which could make it difficult for Lewis." Nevertheless, the seven-time world champion does not need to put himself under any pressure. The Englishman has nothing more to prove, says Coulthard. 

In 2013, Hamilton switched from McLaren to Mercedes with a world championship title on his CV; at the end of the season, the now 39-year-old will leave the Silver Arrows with six more world championship trophies in his luggage.