David Coulthard: Only one thing on Lewis Hamilton’s mind

Fight against racism won’t distract champion from title bid

Lewis Hamilton aims to win a seventh Formula 1 title

Lewis Hamilton’s sole focus will be on winning a seventh world championship when the lights go out on the new Formula One season in Austria, according to former grand prix winner David Coulthard.

Hamilton, 35, has used his huge social media following to become a leading voice in the fight against racism and in support of the Black Lives Movement.

He attended a march in London last month, and encouraged his Mercedes team to adopt a black livery this year. The 35-year-old driver also plans to launch the Hamilton Commission in order to diversify the sport.

But Coulthard, a 13-time race winner, believes that Hamilton will not be distracted in his bid to match Michael Schumacher’s record this term.

“Lewis will be asked about his position on racism and his lockdown activities – but once he pulls on the helmet he will go about his business of being a fast driver,” said Coulthard.

“There will be nothing else on Lewis’ mind or any driver when they leave the pit lane, or when they are out on track, because of adrenaline and fear focusing the mind. It is a sport that just doesn’t allow for daydreaming.”

Hamilton was critical of the sport and his fellow drivers for staying silent on the topic of racism, moving a number of drivers to speak out on the subject.

The sport will launch the “We Race As One” initiative in Spielberg this weekend, while the “End Racism” message will appear on Hamilton’s car. It is also probable that the drivers will “take a knee” in the minutes before Sunday’s race in a show of solidarity.

Hamilton, F1’s only black driver, wants to see real change in a sport populated predominantly by white men.

“Formula One has always been open to men, women and any colour and nationality, but we maybe have not promoted the fact that we are open,” added Coulthard.

“I don’t believe within the sport there has been active discrimination. But Lewis has got the biggest voice and following his collaboration with the sport’s owners Liberty Media and Mercedes, there is clearly a feeling that Formula One has not being doing enough to promote and encourage.”

Hamilton’s prospects look good. In March, his Mercedes team ended an impressive pre-season campaign with the fastest lap and the greatest number of miles. They also reinvented the wheel with their dual-axis steering system (DAS) which is set to provide Hamilton and team-mate Valtteri Bottas with a fresh edge this term.

Ferrari have been forced to use the prolonged break to redesign their car after several issues during testing, but their updated machine is unlikely to be ready until the third round of the campaign in Hungary.

Max Verstappen will continue to lead Red Bull’s attack. The former world champions are hopeful they have closed the gap to Mercedes and will hope the opening two rounds in Austria will suit their package – Verstappen has two wins from his last three appearances at the Red Bull Ring – but whether the super-talented Dutchman can match Hamilton over the course of the year is uncertain.

The opening race at the Red Bull Ring will kickstart eight rounds in just 10 weekends, with the sport’s bosses hopeful of staging at least 18 grands prix before the year is out.

The record-breaking 22-race calendar was effectively torn up following the outbreak of coronavirus.

The Austrian Grand Prix will mark the first of eight races in 10 whirlwind weeks.

Spielberg’s Red Bull Ring will host the opening two rounds (5 and 12 July) before Hungary (19 July).

There will then be two races at Silverstone (2 and 9 August) before rounds in Spain (16 August), Belgium (30 August) and Italy (6 September).

The sport’s bosses remain hopeful of announcing at least a further eight races, with the campaign to end in Abu Dhabi in November.

There will be no Monaco Grand Prix on an F1 schedule for the first time since 1954. The races in Australia, Azerbaijan and Japan have also been cancelled.

Spectators are banned, team numbers have been limited and there will be no customary champagne spraying for the top-three drivers.

Face masks will be prevalent in the pit-lane, while all travelling personnel are required to be tested for Covid-19 every five days.

David Coulthard is an advisory board chairman for the W Series. Watch the W Series Esports League every Thursday at 1900 BST between now and 13 August across the BBC and W Series’ digital platforms.

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