F1 News
Coulthard predicts the performance of F1 rookies with 'simple theory'
- Cas van de Kleut
This season, Formula 1 is welcoming a wave of fresh talent, with six drivers making their debut in full-time roles. Former McLaren, Red Bull and Williams driver David Coulthard sees this as a positive development, noting that it’s exciting to witness a new generation of drivers breaking through. Speaking on the Formula for Success podcast, Coulthard expressed his enthusiasm for the influx of young talent, believing it will bring new energy to the sport.
The 2024 Formula 1 season will see several promising new talents make their full-time debuts. Notably, Toto Wolff has shown immense confidence in Andrea Kimi Antonelli, giving him an immediate opportunity at Mercedes. Other rising stars, including Oliver Bearman, Liam Lawson, Jack Doohan, Gabriel Bortoleto, and Isack Hadjar, are also gearing up for their first full season in F1. With such a strong influx of talent, the new season is shaping up to be an exciting one for fans and teams alike.
Coulthard: 'It's good to have new guys on the grid'
Coulthard was asked by a listener whether the arrival of the rookies could potentially cost teams dearly. Coulthard thinks that the influx of young drivers is actually good for the sport: "If you don't bring in young drivers, people like Max Verstappen when he was only 17 to Formula 1 or all of the other, you know, full lineup of great young drivers that are now maturing into their 20s, then you don't move the sport forward drive in Formula 1, So I personally think it's good."
'That separates good drivers from the exceptional ones'
The 13-time Grand Prix winner continued: "The biggest challenge for them, of course, is that you can't put an old head on young shoulders. So I have this very simple theory that you either have the speed or you don't. So if you look at Verstappen, if you look at Hamilton, if you look at Senna, if you pick any of the absolutely exceptional drivers that have entered the sport, they've entered with a flurry of absolute pace.
"They haven't come in a second away from their teammates and worked their way forward. They've had that raw speed. And that's the thing for me that separates the exceptionals from the merely good Formula 1 drivers."
Coulthard: 2025 will be an 'exciting season' for the rookies
Having six new drivers in the sport is exciting, for themselves and also for fans. "We will soon find out who has the potential to produce a good lap time. That doesn't mean they will ever have the complete package, because a strong time over one lap is one thing, but being able to do that over an entire Grand Prix is another story. But we can only find out by putting them in the car. So I think this is an exciting season for these young guys. They have to deliver. People will always say it's their first season, but in terms of speed, that's not something that should be overlooked."
This article was written in collaboration with Toby Nixon
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