Title chances for Verstappen? 'All the pieces of the puzzle are in place now'

Ahead of the start of the new season, former Formula One driver David Coulthard looks ahead to Max Verstappen's chance of the world title and whether this might be Lewis Hamilton's last season.

Impressions from the winter tests

With only three days of testing, the teams had less time than ever to try things out. "This puts more pressure on the teams," Coulthard told Speedweek.com. "The relatively stable rules favour the teams that had a high degree of stability at the end of last season and were fast."

"At the moment that speaks in favour of Red Bull Racing in particular, but we won't know more until after qualifying on 27 March," the Scot continued. However, he does not yet dare to count on an end to Mercedes' dominance. "From the test times you can't tell who experimented and who didn't, who drove with how much fuel on board or what engine power was released."

Can Verstappen go for the title?

Coulthard is positive about Verstappen's chances of going for the title this year. "He is focused, fast, well established in the team and supported from all sides, has a lot of experience now. He is in good physical shape. Yes, his chances are pretty good because all the pieces of the puzzle are in place now."

Hamilton to retire?

With an eighth world title on the horizon, many people think there is a good chance that Hamilton will retire from Formula One after this season. Coulthard also belives that "is a possibility," but "will also depend on how the season goes. He is a winning machine. The question will be how much motivation he still has as a driver who is used to winning. Only he will know exactly how his motivation is."

Hamilton is now 36, but he is not the only driver on the grid on the older side. "The time will come when Hamilton, Vettel, Räikkönen, Alonso are no longer there. We have always experienced periods in which generational changes took place. With Räikkönen, for example, it has to be said that a pilot with his experience is very important for Alfa Romeo, with two youngsters the risk would be much greater. And young drivers like Max Verstappen don't come every day. If you're old and good enough, you're not too old."