Former Red Bull Formula 1 driver David Coulthard has offered a candid assessment of Lewis Hamilton’s standing in the sport, suggesting that Hamilton may no longer be at his peak. He contrasted the seven-time champion’s current form with Max Verstappen, who he feels is still on an upward trajectory. The ongoing debate between fans over who stands supreme—Hamilton or Verstappen—remains unresolved, especially following the contentious end to their 2021 title fight.
During a recent appearance as a guest on the Red Flags podcast, Coulthard was given the task of ranking Formula 1 world champions, leading him to favor Max Verstappen in a comparison with Hamilton. He emphasized the Dutchman’s honesty and grounded approach, and was forthcoming about Hamilton’s performance in recent years.
“I go with Verstappen because they’re very difficult to separate the two of them, in terms of Hamilton, at his peak, and I keep saying that because I’m not sure he is at his peak anymore. Controversial for a loser like me to dare to say that. But it just feels the greats match their teammates or beat their teammate, and the last couple of years, if I’m not mistaken, he didn’t do that with George, and it doesn’t feel like he’s done that with Charles.”
– David Coulthard, former Red Bull driver
Coulthard further clarified his thoughts by pointing to measurable results on the racetrack, rather than popular opinion.
“So if we put opinions to one side and just use… what are the two things that are ultimately important in F1? It’s the stopwatch (qualifying results), and it’s the chequered flag (race results). Everything else is opinion. I think the outright speed may be not there with Lewis anymore, but he’s still, you’ve got to give him so much respect. But Max, it feels like he’s developing, there’s more to come. It still feels that how far can this guy go?” the Briton added.
– David Coulthard, former Red Bull driver
Contrasting Fortunes for Hamilton and Verstappen in the 2025 Season
The 2025 Formula 1 season showcased vastly different experiences for Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. For Hamilton, what was expected to be a headline-grabbing move to Ferrari quickly became his most challenging season in the sport. The lack of synergy with Ferrari’s Riccardo Adami and repeated qualifying struggles prevented Hamilton from reaching the podium, while his teammate Charles Leclerc outperformed him by 86 points. Hamilton’s transition to the Maranello-based team was met with a series of setbacks, from failed strategic reports to the Scuderia headquarters, to back-to-back early eliminations in qualifying sessions.
In contrast, Max Verstappen described his 2025 campaign as the most successful of his career so far. Despite trailing Oscar Piastri by 104 points at the season’s halfway mark, Verstappen managed a remarkable turnaround with Red Bull. The Dutchman achieved ten consecutive podiums in the latter stages, claiming six race victories and closing the championship fight to within two points of Lando Norris, ultimately finishing as runner-up. Verstappen’s resilience throughout the season left a strong impression across the paddock, prompting admiration even from those comparing him to former greats.
Future Prospects for the F1 Champions
As speculation continues around whether Lewis Hamilton can reclaim his top form with Ferrari, attention also centers on how far Max Verstappen’s capabilities will take him. The opinions of influential voices like David Coulthard contribute to an ongoing debate among fans and insiders, keeping the rivalry intense and future seasons highly anticipated. The challenges faced by Hamilton and the successes enjoyed by Verstappen in 2025 have set an intriguing stage for both drivers as they prepare for their next chapters in Formula 1.
