DC Considers McLaren's Signing a Mistake

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David Coulthard believes that former team McLaren could have made a mistake in electing to give fellow Briton Lewis Hamilton a Formula One race seat for the 2007 season.

McLaren confirmed on Friday that the 21-year-old GP2 champion had been given the nod to partner Fernando Alonso next year, with Hamilton getting the drive ahead of more experience test driver Pedro de la Rosa - who competed in the final eight races of 2006 when Juan Pablo Montoya turned his back on F1 to go to NASCAR.

While both McLaren boss Ron Dennis and Mercedes motorsport chief Norbert Haug said that the time had arrived for Hamilton to make the step up, Coulthard stated his belief that the move could have come too soon for a driver who only stepped behind the wheel of an F1 car for the first time proper back in September.

"I believe McLaren have given him his break too soon," DC told the News of the World. "My old boss Ron Dennis should have given Lewis a year as a test driver before promoting him to the race seat.

"I have absolutely no doubt he has the right attitude and work ethic to be successful in F1, but Lewis would have been better off with a year's testing. He is still only 21 and has plenty of racing years ahead of him. He could face a very tough time with Fernando Alonso as his team-mate. Alonso may be new to McLaren but he is a double world champion. The first person you are compared to is your team-mate and if Lewis struggles against Alonso it could destroy his confidence."

Coulthard added that a season as a test driver would not only have prepared Hamilton better for the challenges of competing in F1, but also for the pressures of life away from the circuit.

"There is no doubting his potential, but he needs time to develop, not just as a driver but also as a man," he said. "I was 24 when Williams gave me my Grand Prix chance when Ayrton Senna was so tragically killed at San Marino. But I had already had three years of testing and preparing myself. I still made mistakes on the track, as well as in life, because I was still trying to live my life and race cars.

"I understand that Lewis is desperate to race, but he would have been better armed to deal with all the pressure through the benefit of experience."

Hamilton joins Coulthard, Jenson Button and Anthony Davidson as one of four Brits on the grid next season.
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Source: Skysports


Now, some of that I agree with, but why does it always end up as DC says this, DC says that...can't the big guy keep his opinion to himself once in a while?
 
He&#8217;s just working his way slowly into the Damon Hill role &#8211; once he retires he&#8217;ll be complaining about everything, and no one will care because he is not involved.

At the same time, though, if no one bitched at this time of year it would be very boring waiting for testing to start.

Re: the Hamilton signing. Yeah, he&#8217;ll probably get beaten pretty convincingly, but I doubt that he&#8217;s under any illusions that he can step straight into the sport and start beating the estabilished champions.

Keep in mind that throughout most of his motorsport career (except GP2) he&#8217;s had a very bad rookie year followed by a championship winning second year, so he knows that he potentially will have a learning year where his performances are not up to his standards, let alone those of Alonso.
 
No one questions such a prominent jaw.
 
I'd be funny to see Alonso to be beat by a Rookie.

Could Mclaren have been slightly disappointed by PDLR's performace last year? That might have been a part of the decision. Kimi joined McLaren back when he was very young, so it is not unreasonable to rule Hamilton out as not good enough. Who knows, he may be pretty good by halfway.

Keep in mind, this is the opinion of a driver from a different team. If it were someone at McLaren or a Big head in motorsport, then it should be taken seriously. DC is just spouting commentary that anyone could give.

No one questions such a prominent jaw.
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:lol: 👍
 
I was talking to a mate of mine last night about this and although I agree with Coulthard in that Hamilton might have been better off with a testing seat I think he'll be up to the challenge of Alonso. I think Hamilton will be on Alonso's qualifying pace within 3 races and beating him within 6 races (subject to reliability).
 
At least DC has an opinion and is not afraid to give it. There are, and have been, too many bland F1 drivers who list their favourite drink as "water", and their favourite music as "Phil Collins".
 
daan
At least DC has an opinion and is not afraid to give it. There are, and have been, too many bland F1 drivers who list their favourite drink as "water", and their favourite music as "Phil Collins".
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Although I appreciate DC's candid responses, it sounds more like Coulthard's favorite drink comes from sour grapes.
 

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