David Coulthard backs "flawless" Lewis Hamilton for title challenge

Former British racer David Coulthard is confident that Lewis Hamilton can mount a challenge for the Formula 1 Drivers' Championship following his performance at the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Having qualified in pole position for the race, the 28-year-old came ahead of Kimi Raikkonen at the Hungaroring on Sunday to claim his first win for his new team Mercedes.

The victory has seen Hamilton cut Sebastian Vettel's lead in the overall standings to 38 points with nine races to go, and Coulthard believes that his compatriot could rival the German for the title.

"I said after qualifying that his pole position was as flawless as the diamonds in his ears. Well, the same goes for his drive in the race," Coulthard told BBC Sport.

"What I really enjoyed about it, compared with the win his team-mate Nico Rosberg took in Monaco, was that he was clearly pushing hard for the whole grand prix. That was impressive.

"Encouragingly for Mercedes, they did not suffer the rear-tyre problems they have been having in other races this season - although Hungary has a relatively low average speed so they have not necessarily gone for good - and off the back of that race, Hamilton and Mercedes have to consider themselves in a position to erode the lead Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel has in the championship."

The next race of the calendar is the Belgian Grand Prix that takes place in late August.