David Coulthard believes Formula 1’s new technical regulations have played an important role in the contrasting fortunes of the 2026 grid, with Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Antonelli appearing particularly well suited to the demands of the latest cars. After difficult 2025 campaigns, both drivers have emerged as leading championship contenders under the new rules.
Kimi Antonelli currently controls the drivers’ standings for Mercedes, while Lewis Hamilton remains his closest challenger in second place for Ferrari. Mercedes’ dominance during the opening half of the season means Ferrari’s championship prospects remain remote, but Lewis Hamilton’s return to competitive form has at least provided the Tifosi with renewed hope that the team’s long wait for another Formula 1 title could eventually end.
David Coulthard sees clear winners from the 2026 F1 regulations
Speaking on the Up To Speed podcast, David Coulthard identified Lewis Hamilton, Kimi Antonelli and Isack Hadjar as three drivers who have adapted particularly effectively to Formula 1’s new technical era. The 13-time Grand Prix winner explained that the 2026 regulations have not affected every driver equally, with some appearing considerably more comfortable than others with the driving techniques now required.
The former McLaren and Red Bull driver argued that Lewis Hamilton’s resurgence should be connected to the different style demanded by the current generation of cars. With electrical energy deployment and recovery playing such a significant role, drivers must manage performance in a different way from previous seasons. The challenges created by Formula 1’s complex 2026 power units have therefore become an important part of both race management and outright lap time.
Why Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari revival fits Coulthard’s theory
David Coulthard suggested that the energy-limited character of the 2026 cars has helped Lewis Hamilton rediscover a level of performance that was largely missing during the previous season. Rather than viewing the Ferrari driver’s improvement in isolation, David Coulthard believes it reflects how effectively Lewis Hamilton has adjusted to the new way these cars must be driven.
Lewis Hamilton’s place behind Kimi Antonelli in the championship supports that assessment. Ferrari has not matched Mercedes’ overall strength across the first half of the campaign, yet Lewis Hamilton has remained close enough to establish himself as the leading non-Mercedes challenger. Ferrari’s recent performance at Spa, where Charles Leclerc finished second and Lewis Hamilton recovered to fourth, also demonstrated that the Scuderia can still challenge near the front despite its broader deficit.
Kimi Antonelli’s progress increases the pressure on George Russell
David Coulthard also pointed to the comparison between Isack Hadjar and Max Verstappen. While making clear that Isack Hadjar deserved full credit for his ability, David Coulthard observed that the younger driver had remained closer to Max Verstappen than some of the Dutchman’s previous teammates had managed.
A similar trend has emerged at Mercedes, although with even greater championship consequences. David Coulthard believes the major regulation change has accelerated Kimi Antonelli’s development and allowed the Italian to exploit the new cars particularly effectively. He also acknowledged that the situation must be deeply frustrating for George Russell, who has been unable to match his younger teammate’s results consistently.
The Belgian Grand Prix provided another significant example. Although George Russell’s race ended before the field had completed the opening sequence of corners, Kimi Antonelli had already held a clear advantage over his more experienced teammate throughout the Spa-Francorchamps weekend. The 19-year-old then converted that performance into victory, strengthening his position at the top of the championship. His control of the race and the challenge posed by Charles Leclerc are examined further in Kimi Antonelli’s account of his Mercedes victory at Spa.
Antonelli leaves Spa with a commanding championship advantage
Kimi Antonelli arrived in Belgium holding a 25-point advantage over George Russell. Following his victory and George Russell’s early retirement, that margin doubled to 50 points. Kimi Antonelli also left Spa with a 45-point lead over Lewis Hamilton, who remains second in the drivers’ standings.
Those gaps underline the central point of David Coulthard’s assessment. The 2026 regulation change has not simply altered the competitive order between teams; it has also changed what drivers must do to extract performance from their cars. Lewis Hamilton has returned to the championship fight after a disappointing 2025, while Kimi Antonelli has developed into the dominant figure of the season. In both cases, David Coulthard believes their ability to adapt to Formula 1’s new technical demands has been a decisive factor.
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