Coulthard: Hamilton Should Leave McLaren If Necessary

Shortly after Lewis Hamilton expressed his unconditioned love for McLaren Mercedes and insisted he wants to spend all his F1 career with the Woking-based team, retired driver and F1 veteran David Coulthard questions his countryman's decision and puts it on the winning-the-title enthusiasm. The Scot – who used to compete for McLaren through both good and bad times – is convinced Hamilton would reconsider his position should McLaren not provide him with a winning car.

“In terms of trying to achieve wins it would be silly of him to stay with McLaren if the car wasn't performing. He wants to win and you would expect him to say that now because they're on top of the world,” said Coulthard in an interview for British newspaper The Sun.

As a driver who experienced much inside the sport and knows nothing should be taken for granted in Formula 1, Coulthard insisted no driver should say never, no matter the situation he's in at a certain point. Should McLaren fail to continue their 2008 form, Hamilton would be right to look elsewhere for an F1 seat.

“I don't think he needs to talk about the future beyond enjoying this world championship success and next year's bid. None of us knows what the future holds,” added the Scot.

Hamilton previously stated that he has every intention of sticking with McLaren for the rest of his racing years, while already making bets with team principal Ron Dennis in case of future drivers' or constructors' titles inside the Great Circle.

“I love this team, I'm going nowhere. This is the best team in the world. I'm very proud of everything McLaren have achieved. Even when I was growing up, when I first knew that racing was what I wanted to do, I knew that it was McLaren I wanted to drive for,” had revealed Hamilton a few days after wrapping up his maiden F1 title.