Even though Lewis Hamilton has been dominating the Formula 1 grid for a while now, it is not difficult to claim that he is nearing the end of his career.
While it is difficult to say when exactly he will decide to call it quits, we can be sure that the day is not far away.
Many people also believe that Hamilton’s retirement will lead to a new era of young drivers dominating the grid.
Former F1 driver David Coulthard seems to think that the new drivers will define how the sport will be perceived in the future.
Off-track engagement with fans is key
The new era of drivers will make their mark in the sport based on their off-track interactions with fans.
Drivers such as Lando Norris, George Russell, and Charles Leclerc are already a part of this trend as they interact with their fans through Twitch.
Coulthard thinks that an important part of being a driver in the future will be by becoming the ‘people’s champion.’
He said, “I’m really excited about the future of the sport. Lewis is a great driver, don’t get me wrong, but he’s not a man of the people in the paddock.
“Max, Charles, George, and Lando, on the other hand, who understand their job consists not only of driving race cars but also that they have to deal with the media and sponsors.
“That they just have to be open, which has not always been the case with various drivers in the past.”
Verstappen to end the Hamilton era
There is a major possibility that the new era will be dominated by none other than Max Verstappen.
Just like many others, Coulthard also thinks that Verstappen is a world-class driver and has all the pre-requisite skills to create an era of his own.
When asked if Verstappen can become a title contender, Coulthard agreed.
“100%. He has the skills and is a man for the coming seasons. There is no doubt in my mind that we will see a shift from the Hamilton era to the Verstappen era,” he said.
When the shift will happen is still not clear. However, the current season sees the Dutchman leading ahead of Hamilton by four points.
However, there are still 18 races to go and things can turn around pretty quick.
Both Lewis and Max have their sights set on Baku for the moment.
Let us know what you think in the comments below!