Coulthard: 'I think Hamilton is done with that now'

Will Lewis Hamilton be at the start of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on March 20 or not? It is the question that has been on the minds of many Formula 1 fans and journalists since the thrilling finale of the world championship in Abu Dhabi. In any case, David Coulthard thinks that Hamilton will be there next season.

Hamilton is done with it

Coutlhard, himself active in Formula 1 from 1994 to 2008, does not think Hamilton will quit his Formula 1 career. The Scot says he can relate well to the seven-time world champion when it comes to dealing with disappointments such as Hamilton faced in Abu Dhabi, he told The Telegraph. "The euphoria after achieving success disappears pretty quickly, but so does the disappointment of defeat."

Hamilton failed to become world champion last season for the first time in five years. Just before the end of the race, the Mercedes driver seemed to be on his way to his eighth title. However, the safety car at the end of the ace threw a spanner in the works, allowing Max Verstappen to grab the title on the last lap. Since then, there has hardly been a word from Hamilton.

Loss bigger shock for Wolff

According to the Scot, Hamilton will have more trouble with anyone who says Hamilton was robbed of his title. He thinks Hamilton is done with that now and that the Mercedes driver will avoid these conversations as much as possible. "I think the loss of the title was probably much less of a shock to him than it was to Wolff, the rest of the team or his fans."

Hamilton signed a new two-year contract with Mercedes in the summer and Coulthard does not think the Briton will break his contract. Nor will the disappointment in Abu Dhabi change that. "Of course he would have liked to have won, and I also think he was very emotional, but anyone would be in those circumstances."