F1 News: Dramatic Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc bombshell dropped by David Coulthard

David Coulthard smirks as Lewis Hamilton looks on glumly — Photo: © IMAGO

F1 News & Gossip

Coulthard drops DRAMATIC F1 bombshell about Hamilton and Leclerc

David Coulthard is wary that Charles Leclerc’s one lap speed will be a lot for Lewis Hamilton to handle

Shay Rogers

Sunday 11 February 2024 10:58 Updated: 18:33

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David Coulthard has outlined that Charles Leclerc’s stunning qualifying pace could be something that a 40-year-old Lewis Hamilton will struggle against.

Having already achieved 23 pole positions in his career, the Monegasque driver will be keen to assert himself early on against Hamilton.

The Brit himself has the most pole positions in the sport’s history with 104, but Leclerc’s generational one lap talent could prove to be a challenge for Hamilton, who will be entering his 19th Formula 1 season when he first partners Leclerc.

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It also means that Leclerc will be tough to match across a Sunday too, with the Ferrari driver desperate to change his poor qualifying-to-win ratio in the sport.

Lewis Hamilton is without a race victory in over two years

Lewis Hamilton will be with Ferrari for at least two seasons until 2026

Coulthard: Charles will be at full strength

Coulthard points out that Leclerc will be difficult opposition for Hamilton when he joins up with the Scuderia.

“Charles is a young and fast driver,” he said on the Formula For Success podcast. “He doesn't have the world championships and the experience of Lewis, but I think he'll be a champion in the future.

“I think Charles is one of the fastest drivers on the flying lap, he's amazing in qualifying, and Lewis is an extraordinary race driver.

“But at 40 years old, I don't see him as fast on the flying lap anymore. And at that point, Charles will be at full strength.”

The two are yet to fight on track fiercely for race wins, much like Max Verstappen has with Hamilton – a good omen for a relationship which will need to be strong if Ferrari are to win a championship.

If they can work well together, regardless of qualifying speed, Ferrari could stand their best chance at a world championship since they last took the constructors’ crown in 2008.