Hamilton as inspirational as Senna - Coulthard

Lewis Hamilton deserves to be compared to his hero, Formula 1 legend Ayrton Senna, says grand prix driver turned pundit David Coulthard. Hamilton could match a Senna record if he wins the British Grand Prix this weekend, having previously eclipsed his benchmarks for race wins and pole positions.

Senna is the only driver to win a grand prix five years on the spin, having taken to the top step in Monaco each year between 1989 and 1993, Hamilton heads to Silverstone this weekend with four consecutive wins under his belt.

Victory would also see Hamilton win the event for a record sixth time, eclipsing Alain Prost and Jim Clark.

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Hamilton is the undoubted superstar of F1's modern age and Coulthard expects he will become a figure of inspiration to the next generation like Senna stirred him.

"It's always difficult when you're talking about someone younger than yourself to have the same realisation of what they are achieving," said Coulthard.

"I think of your Mansells, Prosts and Sennas I was watching as a kid.

"Now there are a whole bunch of kids watching Lewis and I think he is one of the exceptional drivers. He deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as a Senna.

"I think it would be fantastic if he wins this weekend. Records are there to be broken. The next generation should always be better, wiser and better equipped to make decisions than the previous one and performances should be higher."

Hamilton is seeking a response after Mercedes' double DNF in Austria cost him top spot in the drivers' standings to Sebastian Vettel, with Ferrari also taking over in the team charts from Mercedes.

"It's a track Mercedes have always gone well at and one he has been exceptional at," said Coulthard.

"Yes they were disappointing in Austria but it's unreasonable to expect 100 per cent reliability. It's engineering, with tolerances, and occasionally those tolerances go against you.

"With in-built redundancy you are always making calculations to make the cars live their lifespan and that's it.

"When you've got a lot to lose that maybe makes you take less risk versus return. The other teams have more to gain and when they take a gamble look like heroes.

"We all make mistakes, but that's life. Lewis has made the odd mistake as a driver. The whole team has made mistakes but it's about not hiding, coming forward and taking responsibility."