© Jiri Krenek for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd.
Former F1 driver David Coulthard says the W14 isn’t “talking” to Lewis Hamilton “right now, and when it does, expect him to be showing George why he won seven World Championships”.
Lewis Hamilton finished the 2022 season behind George Russell, and although at this point in 2023, Lewis is sitting ahead of his young team-mate in the Drivers’ Championship standings, he has had more complaints about the handling of Mercedes’ car.
David Coulthard believes this is because George got used to driving much worse cars during his three-years at Williams.
“This is the best car that George has ever driven, remember he was at Williams, this is not the best car that Lewis has ever driven,” Coulthard told Channel 4.
“His mind is in a different place, the car isn’t talking to him, playing to his strengths and you can see he is fighting it out there, it’s just not stable.
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“So you have two drivers at different phases of their career. The mighty Lewis is still in there, it just won’t really show itself until the Mercedes is as mighty as it once was.
“George is just sort of constantly there. This is the best car he’s ever driven, so he’s not caught up with the baggage of Lewis trying to figure it out: ‘Am I re-signing for another year?’, ‘Can I win another World Championship?’
“So there’s a lot more on his plate. George is doing a brilliant job, [he is an] absolute asset for the team. That’s not to say Lewis isn’t doing a brilliant job.
“It just means that the car isn’t talking to him right now, and when it does, expect him to be showing George why he won seven World Championships,” the Scot concluded.
