Hamilton deserves more credit - Coulthard

Joas van Wingerden Saturday 3 November 2018 14:52

Lewis Hamilton is insufficiently recognised for his achievements as a five-time Formula 1 world champion, according to fellow Brit David Coulthard. Hamilton has moved level with the great Juan Manuel Fangio on the all-time list this year, with only Michael Schumacher ahead.

Hamilton has seen off Sebastian Vettel in 2017 and 2018 to become Britain's greatest motorsport performer ever and arguably one of the country's top exponents of any sport.

Article continues under video

However, Coulthard believes a British hesitance to celebrate success and Hamilton's jet-set lifestyle combine to leave the 33-year-old short of the full plaudits he deserves.

"There's no question he's an exceptional driver," Coulthard told BBC Sport.

"He can be divisive but whether you like his personality or like his lifestyle, you have to recognise he is an iconic and successful British racing driver and we should be celebrating that more.

"I think we're quite shy about our success in the UK. If we look at America, they just had their World Series in baseball, it's a domestic championship but they talk about it like it's the world.

"We don't really celebrate how good we are across the board. We're good at what we do, not just in motorsport, and we need to shout about it more."

MORE: 'Hamilton would beat Vettel at Mercedes or Ferrari'
MORE: Vettel: Ferrari not the best car in 2018

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