Lewis Hamilton shows promise at Ferrari as David Coulthard backs his move from Mercedes

With Mercedes reasserting themselves as the dominant team on the 2026 Formula 1 grid, questions have emerged about whether Lewis Hamilton regrets leaving his former team to join Ferrari. Despite Mercedes securing a one-two finish in Shanghai, much of the attention this weekend was on Lewis Hamilton, who celebrated his first podium since joining Ferrari. The seven-time world champion finished third behind Andrea Kimi Antonelli and George Russell, delivering a performance that highlighted his renewed competitiveness.

Lewis Hamilton has appeared re-energized this season, showing flashes of the exceptional form that defined his years at Mercedes. However, seeing his former team ahead of him on the podium and leading Ferrari in the championship standings might have caused some to wonder if he second-guessed his decision. According to former Formula 1 driver David Coulthard, Lewis Hamilton has no regrets about the switch.

David Coulthard confident Lewis Hamilton won’t regret joining Ferrari

Speaking on the Up to Speed podcast, David Coulthard was asked whether Lewis Hamilton might be envious of Mercedes’ strong start to the season. David Coulthard emphasized that Lewis Hamilton is focused on the present and is unlikely to regret leaving Mercedes, especially as the move benefited both himself and his former team. He noted that Ferrari’s ongoing improvements could further validate Hamilton’s decision in the months ahead.

Coulthard explained that professional racing drivers live in the moment, rarely dwelling on past decisions until their careers are over. He recalled the significant media attention surrounding Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari and the uncertainty that followed a challenging 2025 season, which had led some to question whether the seven-time world champion was finished. The former McLaren and Red Bull man praised the Ferrari driver for proving he remains highly competitive and for showing that he still has plenty to offer in the current Formula 1 era.

David Coulthard also highlighted that Lewis Hamilton’s departure eased the transition for Mercedes, allowing the team to focus on younger drivers without the difficult conversations about moving on from a seven-time champion. Coulthard added that if the Briton continues to perform at a high level this year, achieving podiums or even a race victory, it could set the stage for him to contend for another championship in the future.

Ferrari yet to challenge Mercedes consistently

When discussing Ferrari’s ability to compete with Mercedes this season, David Coulthard acknowledged that while Ferrari has shown progress, they are still slightly behind the pace of the reigning champions. According to Coulthard, Ferrari currently fields the second-best car on the grid, making them more of a nuisance than a true rival over race distances so far in 2026. Despite this, he noted Lewis Hamilton’s impressive adaptation to the latest regulations, which allowed him to extract maximum performance from the SF-26.

Coulthard also reflected on Charles Leclerc’s performance, mentioning that although Leclerc came back stronger in the second half of the Melbourne Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton maintained control, delivering what Coulthard described as a masterclass during a one-stop race. He suggested that the Briton’s skill and strategic race management allowed Ferrari to maximize results even without having the outright fastest car.

Upgrades and potential for a closer championship battle

Ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix, Ferrari removed certain parts from Lewis Hamilton’s car to prevent any post-race controversies similar to those experienced last year. Looking ahead, Coulthard believes that if Ferrari continues to develop their car, particularly through upgrades after the Japanese Grand Prix, they could begin to close the gap with Mercedes. This would set the stage for a more competitive season, with Ferrari increasingly able to challenge the reigning champions and potentially support Lewis Hamilton in his quest for another title.