Coulthard abused after Hamilton to be challenged at Ferrari remark

Friday, 08 March 2024 at 15:50

Ex-Formula 1 driver and Grand Prix winner David Coulthard revealed how he was trolled and abused by Lewis Hamilton fans after the Scot suggested, during a podcast this week, that the Mercedes driver's move to Ferrari will come with its challenges for the seven-time World Champion.

In a move that caught everyone in F1 on the hop, indeed shook the sport to its core, Hamilton to Ferrari for 2025 is the News of the Century. And for sure it will be packed with pitfalls and challenges, after all, it is the sport's greatest driver and its most iconic team uniting for a career-ending fling for the $ 100-million-a-year driver.

That there will be challenges is a given for any driver who changes the team. First in line Sir Lewis will have to beat Ferrari's Little Prince aka Charles Leclerc. No slouch and is sure to give his new teammate a run for his money. Qualifying battles between the pair will be riveting to watch.

Hamilton's adapting to Maranello will be another major challenge to overcome. However, when Coulthard dared mention this reality, he was met with abuse and insults from LH44 fanboys and fangirls, who pollute the sport without understanding it at all.

During the latest episode of Fuelling Around podcast, in a wide-ranging interview, Coulthard revealed: “I think he will have a tough challenge, I said that on another podcast I do with Eddie Jordan.

“I mentioned Lewis will have a big challenge with a young and motivated Charles Leclerc. When you’re a huge Lewis Hamilton fan, instead of just accepting that somebody else can have a different opinion, they have to go: What do you know? You never won a race or you never won a championship. You’re an idiot."

Coulthard: Leclerc will be a really big challenge for Hamilton

“I’m perfectly happy for people to have different opinions and points of view," declared Coulthard. "Because that’s all we’re debating. It’s always interesting when you get the diehards who think you’re an idiot to challenge that he may find it difficult. But it’s my honest view.

“I think Charles is one of the quickest guys over a single lap. I don’t know that for a fact, it’s just a belief based on he’s had a number of poles. I just think it will be a really big challenge for Lewis," insisted Coulthard.

Except for the handful of key players involved in the deal, the Hamilton-to-Ferrari news was out of the blue and caught the F1 world by surprise, Coulthard included: “I didn’t imagine at 38 that he would cut that chord,” added Coulthard,

“As racing adults, we understand that when you sign a contract with a team it’s a beautiful marriage contract but you have the divorce papers prepared at the same time. Because you will never, whether you’re a soccer player or whatever team sport it is, no one stays there forever. There’s always an end game.

“I’ve always been super impressed by Lewis’ speed. He’s a clean driver, he’s a winning machine and there’s nothing I can say that other people can’t observe about what an aspiration-winning machine he is," added Coulthard, a 13-time Grand Prix winner.