The last couple of weeks have certainly been eventful in what has been a rollercoaster season for world champion Lewis Hamilton.

Seething after a controversial second place in the British Grand Prix, joyous after the announcement of an eye-popping new contract with Mercedes during the week and now no doubt ecstatic to receive some glowing praise from a highly respected source.

David Coulthard, a former runner-up in the driver's championship before subsequently making a successful leap from the cockpit to the commentary booth, has hailed Hamilton as the best driver on the grid.

This may not surprise casual onlookers of the sport as the British driver has claimed four world titles and is the poster boy for the sport but there are also former champions like the German Sebastian Vettel and Spaniard Fernando Alonso lining up for each race so Coulthard's words are not spoken lightly.

Speaking at an event earlier this week, Coulthard explains why he now considers Hamilton the best on the grid,

"Lewis has the ability. Up until maybe this year, we were always saying that Alonso was the benchmark drive. I think Hamilton has become that now," he told The Express.

"Vettel is not a better driver. He may be as good as him but I think Hamilton is the more natural racer and he’s still at the top of his game.”

The Scot did temper his praise somewhat with criticism of Hamilton's petulant post-race snubbing of interviewer Martin Brundle after his turbulent GP at Silverstone.

A first lap collision with the Ferrari of Kimi Raikkonen sent him spinning to the back of the field and despite a heroic drive to eventually finish on the podium, he couldn't hide his fury.

Coulthard reminded the world champion that his fame and wealth come primarily from fans and sponsors of the sport and feels that they should be respected at all times.

He added: “The reality of being a professional sportsman is that you’re being paid to do a load of things you don’t really want to do - which is anything that isn’t driving.

“But to be professional, you have to recognise how your money comes to you.

“It comes through sponsors, media outlets promoting and fans turning up and watching.

“You can’t turn your back on that.”