Ralf Schumacher is not expecting Lewis Hamilton to have it all his own way at Ferra
Ralf Schumacher is not convinced that Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari will have the desired impact when he leaves Mercedes to join the Italian team next year. Hamilton will link up with Charles Leclerc from 2025 onwards, having signed a multi-year contract with the Maranello squad in one of the most expensive deals in history.
Hamilton has made it clear that he is desperate to win an eighth Drivers’ Championship title and will be hoping to achieve the feat at Ferrari, with Mercedes having lacked pace over the last few seasons. Schumacher, however, believes that he may struggle when it comes to helping Ferrari catch up with Red Bull at the front.
Speaking to Formel1.de, Schumacher’s verdict was short and sweet as he said: “Hamilton will not be able to contribute much.”
Hamilton’s decision to join Ferrari was influenced by the presence of team principal Frederic Vasseur, who worked with the Brit in junior formulas before his F1 debut in 2007. Schumacher went on to explain that although Vasseur will do everything to help Hamilton win an eighth title, he is not expecting the dream to become a reality.
“I am sure Vasseur would not pay so much money for nothing,” added the German. “He will offer and give Hamilton everything to make sure he can perform. Hamilton is, of course, seven-time world champion and a fantastic driver.
“I don’t think he has the qualities that Verstappen has. I don’t think he is as consistent as Verstappen and he can’t take out that extra tenth at any cost.”
.Schumacher is not the only figure to question Hamilton’s impending move to Ferrari, with former Renault boss Flavio Briatore recently suggesting that he may not have enough motivation to achieve his goal of clinching another title. He also warned that Leclerc will be quicker than the 39-year-old after spending the last five years adapting to life at Ferrari.
In an interview with RAI earlier this week, Briatore said: “If he was already driving at Ferrari today, he would do the same as Leclerc, who is a fast driver. The Monegasque is underrated. Hamilton will struggle to stay ahead of him. Drivers like Hamilton, when the car is not competitive, don’t put much effort into it.”
Briatore also suggested that neither Hamilton nor Leclerc will have any hope of beating Max Verstappen until Ferrari make significant improvements, adding: “Ferrari may be the second team in the world championship, but it is not a position for Ferrari. They need to improve the car. With these gaps, no driver can make the difference.”
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