David Coulthard has stated that Lewis Hamilton is back to his world-class level, describing the seven-time world champion’s resurgence as a strong warning sign for Mercedes heading into the Austrian Grand Prix. Coulthard broke his silence on Hamilton’s recent form following the Barcelona Grand Prix, where Hamilton secured his first victory with Ferrari in the 2026 season.
According to Coulthard, Hamilton’s performance in Barcelona was not a sign of improvement or growing comfort, but a clear return to being “the real thing.” Hamilton executed an aggressive three-stop strategy during the race, directly challenging both Mercedes cars. He managed tires, gaps, and pressure effectively, and capitalized on a late virtual safety car window to take the win. Coulthard described feeling a mixture of admiration and relief, noting that it had been uncomfortable to publicly question a driver of Hamilton’s caliber during his struggles last season.
Heading into the Barcelona weekend, Ferrari driver Kimmy Antonelli held a 66-point lead in the drivers’ championship. A technical issue ended Antonelli’s race early, resulting in no points for the championship leader. Hamilton’s victory produced a net swing of 25 points, reducing Antonelli’s lead to 41 points with roughly half a season remaining. Coulthard drew a comparison to Max Verstappen’s comeback in the second half of 2025, when he nearly overcame a 100-point deficit. Coulthard is now asking whether Hamilton could be in the hunt for a record-breaking eighth world title.
The narrative is further complicated by Hamilton’s history with Mercedes, where he spent 11 years and won six of his seven world championships. He left the team to join Ferrari, choosing “legacy over comfort.” In the constructors’ championship, Mercedes currently holds 262 points, while Ferrari sits on 190. Coulthard observed that Hamilton’s career has a “bit Hollywood” quality, coinciding with Formula 1’s increased cultural visibility following the launch of a Hollywood film. The Austrian Grand Prix is the next race on the calendar.
Separately, Ferrari is set to introduce a completely new power unit for the Austrian Grand Prix. This upgrade is not a minor improvement but a significant change, as the team believes it has found the missing power needed to challenge Mercedes. The current estimated deficit for Ferrari’s engine is around 40 to 45 horsepower compared to rivals. On power-sensitive circuits like the Red Bull Ring, which features long straights and high altitude, the chassis cannot hide this gap.
Ferrari’s engine, known internally as the 0676, was designed to run hot deliberately. This choice allowed for tighter packaging, benefiting the aerodynamics team, but it created a power deficit. Mercedes made the opposite choice, focusing on raw power and cooling. Under the 2026 regulations, the FIA monitors power unit performance. After the first six races, Ferrari’s deficit was measured between 6% and 8%, placing them in a bracket that grants two in-season engine upgrades. The first of these upgrades is landing in Austria.
The upcoming tracks in Austria, Great Britain, and Belgium are extremely demanding on engines. The Red Bull Ring features three long straights, with drivers flat on the throttle for over 70% of the lap. The high altitude in the Austrian mountains puts additional stress on the engine and cooling system. Ferrari is bringing the upgrade to this challenging environment intentionally, as it is the ultimate test of whether the new power unit works. If the upgrade delivers, Ferrari believes it can close the gap to Mercedes.
In the drivers’ championship, Kimmy Antonelli leads with 156 points. Hamilton sits in second place with 115 points, 41 behind. Charles Leclerc is fourth with 75 points. In the constructors’ fight, Mercedes leads with 262 points, followed by Ferrari with 190. The engine upgrade will go into both Ferrari cars. Coulthard stated that the warning has been issued, and that the title fight has become very real. The Austrian Grand Prix will be the first real test of whether Ferrari’s new engine can change the balance at the front of the grid.
