Lewis Hamilton “slightly less controversial driver” compared to Max Verstappen in terms of on-field stunts, according to former Red Bull F1 driver 

F1 veteran David Coulthard claimed that Lewis Hamilton is "less controversial" compared to Red Bull driver Max Verstappen, referring to the moments both drivers create with their cars.

Hamilton and Verstappen have emerged as the most competitive drivers on the grid in the past decade. While Hamilton has equaled Michael Schumacher with the most number of world championships, Verstappen raised the benchmark of performance with his effortless and near-to-perfect driving.

The duo also shared an extremely intense rivalry in the 2021 season. They were equal on points in the final race, but RBR emerged victorious as Verstappen clinched his first world championship.

Comparing both drivers, former RBR driver Coulthard claimed that Lewis Hamilton is "less controversial" compared to Max Verstappen on the track. He also said that the latter knows his car extremely well, thus creating hair-raising moments in races.

"They [Hamilton and Verstappen] can find opportunity, they can create opportunity," Coulthard said on the Formula for Success podcast, via PlanetF1. "They will wheel-bang on occasion. Although I have to say Lewis is, I think, a slightly less controversial driver on track in terms of sending it and seeing what happens."

"By controversial, I mean that he [Verstappen] will create moments where you’ll think, ‘Oh, what’s going to happen just in a moment’s time? Is there going to be contact?’ But in actual fact, he knows his car, he knows the track," he added.

Lewis Hamilton has had a rough patch after the 2022 season. Mercedes did not adapt well to the aerodynamic regulations that came into effect from that season. The car underperformed, and the Brit remained winless for two complete seasons.

However, he recently won the F1 British GP, making it a record-extending 104th win. It was his first win since Saudi Arabia in 2021. He seems rather confident afterwards, expecting more fights at the front later in the season.

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Lewis Hamilton expecting racing at the "front row" after recent Mercedes success

The start of the 2024 F1 season was marked as Mercedes' worst one in the past 10 years owing to the poorly performing car. While they were hardly battling within the top five teams initially, they have managed to develop in the right direction.

One week before Lewis Hamilton's Silverstone win, his teammate George Russell brought the team their first win of the season in Austria. Although two consecutive race wins are a strong depiction of the team's progress in the season, Hamilton claimed that they do not have the fastest car on the grid.

RaceFans quoted him as saying:

"There’s still a long, long way to go. The car, by no means, is the car the quickest car on the grid right now."

However, the Brit feels that they could battle more at the front with future upgrades.

"I think we are super close and I think hopefully with the next upgrade perhaps, we will be in an even stronger position to really, really be fighting at the front row more consistently."

The Brackley-based team can be expected to battle within the top four, given their upgrades. The competition is stiff at the front; multiple teams have outperformed others in many races.