Coulthard questions Hamilton’s pace into 2026 F1 season: 'He hasn't dominated'

09:31, 18 Feb

Updated: 10:44, 18 Feb

byOlly Darcy

Former Formula 1 driver David Coulthard believes that Lewis Hamilton's pace is declining and that he has "lost half a tenth over his teammates".

"In the last three years, he hasn’t dominated his teammates in the way he did in the previous 15 years."

- David Coulthard

The seven-time World Champion is approaching his 20th season in Formula 1 in 2026, having usually dominated his teammates in the standings by the end of the campaign.

However, in 2024 and 2025, the 41-year-old could not beat George Russell and Charles Leclerc at Mercedes and Ferrari, respectively, following the introduction of ground-effect cars.

Against Leclerc last season, Hamilton endured the first podium-less season of his F1 career, finishing on a lowly 156 points compared to his teammate's 242, prompting Coulthard to state that the Brit may have lost some of his natural pace.

Lewis Hamilton in action during winter testing in Bahrain - Photo: Race Pictures

"When the stopwatch stopped talking to me, the lap times weren’t there anymore, and then I realised you just lose that edge," the former Red Bull driver said on the Up To Speed podcast.

"I think, in footballing terms - I’m not a big football fan - is it like losing a yard or something? You just can’t get on the ball anymore.

"So I just wonder whether Lewis has lost that little half a tenth that he had over all his teammates in the past. Because in the last three years, he hasn’t dominated his teammates in the way he did in the previous 15 years."

Final days of testing underway

Bahrain plays host to a second week of winter testing, and the final three days of running have gotten underway on Wednesday at the Bahrain International Circuit.

Hamilton will get behind the wheel of the SF-26 for the afternoon session, while teammate Charles Leclerc will join Lando Norris and Kimi Antonelli for the first four hours.

Max Verstappen won't get out on track during the opening day of testing, as teammate Isack Hadjar will complete both the morning and afternoon sessions for Red Bull.