F1 Legend's Stunning Verdict on Hamilton's Ferrari Struggles
The scrutiny surrounding Lewis Hamilton's challenging first season with Ferrari has intensified after former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher entered the fray. Schumacher has not only questioned the seven-time world champion's performance but has also named the driver he believes should replace him at the iconic Italian team.
A Season of Struggle for Hamilton at Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton's much-anticipated move from Mercedes to Ferrari has failed to yield the dream results. The British driver's recent retirement at the Brazilian Grand Prix served as a stark symbol of a difficult year. The race weekend in Sao Paulo concluded with Ferrari dropping to fourth in the constructors' championship, as both Hamilton and his teammate, Charles Leclerc, failed to see the chequered flag.
Hamilton, who left Mercedes after 12 years, currently sits sixth in the drivers' standings with just three races remaining in the season. The 40-year-old is yet to secure a single podium finish in Ferrari colours. He is now pinning his hopes on a major regulation change scheduled for next season, believing it could better suit his driving style and the team's development direction.
Schumacher's Radical Suggestion: Replace Hamilton with Bearman
Despite Hamilton's reported three-year contract, valued at an estimated £60 million per year, Ralf Schumacher believes Ferrari should consider cutting their losses. The ex-F1 driver argues the team should look towards a more cost-effective and productive alternative.
That alternative, in Schumacher's view, is Haas's 20-year-old British driver, Oliver Bearman. Speaking on the Backstage Boxengasse Podcast, the 50-year-old Schumacher laid out his reasoning. 'With Lewis Hamilton, I simply believe that you have to see it this way: he makes a lot of mistakes, and his speed is OK, but not better than that,' he stated.
He contrasted this with Bearman's potential, noting the youngster 'costs a fraction of what Lewis Hamilton costs.' Schumacher suggested that Ferrari chairman John Elkann may struggle to justify Hamilton's massive salary and proposed a different path. 'We have a young driver who is pushing for the brand; we can build something with the rule change for the future,' he added, indicating that investing in Bearman could be a smarter long-term strategy.
Internal Pressure Mounts at Ferrari
The external criticism from Schumacher aligns with emerging internal tensions. After the Brazilian Grand Prix, a despondent Hamilton described his Ferrari experience as 'a nightmare' that he had been living for a while. He spoke of the difficult flip between the dream of driving for Ferrari and the nightmare of their results.
However, Ferrari chairman John Elkann appeared to respond with a clear directive for his drivers. While praising the team's mechanics and engineers, Elkann took a pointed dig, stating, 'we certainly have drivers who it's important that they focus on driving and talking less.' This public comment underscores the growing pressure on Hamilton and Leclerc to deliver improved performances in the final races of the season as the team battles to reclaim second place in the championship.
