Ex-Formula 1 driver David Coulthard has criticised Lewis Hamilton for stating that Max Verstappen has never had a “tough” team-mate, something the Scotsman completely disagrees with.
Hamilton recently insisted that Verstappen’s team-mates during his time at Red Bull haven’t been of the same quality that the seven-time World Champion has gone up against at Mercedes, with the likes of Nico Rosberg, Fernando Alonso, Jenson Button and Valtteri Bottas being used as examples.
Since being promoted to Red Bull at the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix, Verstappen has had four team-mates: Daniel Ricciardo, Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon and Sergio Perez.
With the exception of Ricciardo, Verstappen has been comfortably superior over the others he’s raced alongside at Red Bull.
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Some believe that his superior nature at Red Bull is because Perez isn’t quick enough to compete with the Dutchman, allowing him to go on a 10-race winning streak.
Coulthard categorically disagrees with Hamilton’s claim and has insisted that it’s not about who a person’s team-mate is, but rather “who your competitors are”.
Quite clearly, Verstappen hasn’t had anybody to challenge him this season.
“I know Lewis had made a comment that he does not have tough team-mates,” Coulthard told Formula1.com.
“First of all, that’s not the case, and second of all it’s not actually about who your team-mate is, it’s about who your competitors are, and his biggest competitor so far has been Lewis.
“And they have been unbelievable in the way they have gone wheel-to-wheel, and performed, and really delivered some great results. Whether you are a Mercedes fan, a Ferrari fan, it doesn’t matter.”
Mercedes in particular have never really taken the fight to Red Bull this season, something even Ferrari achieved at the recent Italian Grand Prix.
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The Silver Arrows have already switched their focus to 2024 in an attempt to compete with Red Bull next season, and with Hamilton sticking with the team for two more years, Coulthard thinks another title for the 38-year-old could be possible.
“Lewis has shown his pedigree. Seven-time world champion, could have been nine times, could’ve been 10,” Coulthard added.
“The reality is he’s got that, he’s signed for another two years, he has got the hunger, he has been exceptional all the way from karting to where he is now, and now we will see what Mercedes give him as a car.”