Coulthard believes it would be a disaster for the sport if global icon Hamilton failed to beat Bottas to title

‘PRICELESS’ Lewis Hamilton has been warned that failure to retain his crown would be a disaster for Formula One.

The spotlight is firmly on the reigning world champion after a stunning start to the new campaign has him in the driving seat for a sixth world title.

Hamilton has won four of the opening six races of the campaign and leads Mercedes team-mate Valtteri

Bottas by 17 points ahead of tomorrow’s Canadian Grand Prix.

Away from the track, the 34-year-old has his own fashion collection with Tommy Hilfiger.

The Brit also keeps his 11.4 million Instagram followers up-to-date on his globe-trotting exploits and spends his spare time with A-list celebs, including Canadian model Winnie Harlow.

And former F1 ace David Coulthard (above) believes Hamilton’s star attraction is crucial to the sport – and that a title win for Finland’s Bottas would be an anticlimax.

He said: “He is the biggest star in Formula One – but therein lies a dilemma. Not taking anything away from Valtteri, who has come back strong this year, put in some great performances, and could well win this world championship.

“But if Valtteri won, it’s big news in Finland and in the world of Formula 1, but it’s not going to move the dial in global markets.

“Lewis, his profile in America and all of the various things he does, take him and Formula

One to another audience.

“That’s not a reason to give him the title, but it’s a much bigger thing than just who wins the championship. It does look like he’s in the driving seat.”

Hamilton suffered a setback yesterday after he crashed in second practice.

“Sorry about that,” said Hamilton after making a mistake. He had completed just eight laps.

Hamilton had gone fastest in the opening session, but he did not go back out for the second.