Coulthard spots key difference that sets Hamilton and Schumacher apart in F1

15:36, 08 Aug

byNorberto Mujica

David Coulthard has offered an insight into what made Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton so effective in Formula 1, highlighting their ability to handle medium-speed corners and extract the most from the car in crucial moments.

Speaking on the Formula For Success podcast, Coulthard said medium-speed turns were an area where the greats often had an edge.

Medium speed corners, the maker of F1 kings

“Medium speed corners… let’s say it’s a hundred miles an hour. You’re turning in, leaning on the left rear tyre. You’re not on the front, not completely on the back, and not in the middle. At high speed, you’re aerodynamically balanced."

"I think they were very good at that transition from front axle reaction to suddenly squatting and the rear tyre moving. I would be a bit, ‘is it there or is it not there?’. They just went, ‘yeah, it’s there’. And that would often give them the advantage.”

Coulthard said that while he rated himself highly in low-speed corners and heavy braking zones, whereas Schumacher and Hamilton were more consistent in exploiting the machinery and tyres across all conditions.

“In terms of having used that 15 years as a driver and looked at the data against some of the great drivers, I think they just exploit the potential of the machinery and the tyres in a more consistent way than someone like myself.”

Spare capacity the defining trait of the F1 greats

He also pointed to what he called “spare capacity” in the very best drivers.

“At the point at which you overload and go, that’s the limit, they just have that little bit of room to go, ‘is it the limit?’."

"It doesn’t mean they don’t make mistakes. We’ve seen Michael crash, and we’ve seen Lewis crash. But their spare capacity to exploit potential opportunity is there.”