Lewis Hamilton Ferrari F1 performance has come under fresh scrutiny following his first season with the iconic Italian team, as his name was conspicuously omitted from a high-profile debate about the sport’s ultimate driver pairing. The exclusion comes after Hamilton’s challenging inaugural year at Ferrari, which ended without a podium finish and saw him consistently outperformed by teammate Charles Leclerc throughout 2025.
Mixed Fortunes for Champions at Ferrari and Beyond
The 2025 season marked a difficult transition for Lewis Hamilton, who, despite his record as a seven-time world champion, struggled to find form with Ferrari. His results fell short of expectations, with a string of finishes outside the top three, and an unexpected disqualification in China compounded his woes. Meanwhile, his teammate Charles Leclerc seized the upper hand within the team, further magnifying Hamilton’s difficulties adapting to his new environment.
While Hamilton toiled through a tough season, fellow world champion Max Verstappen captured widespread acclaim across the Formula 1 community. Verstappen not only contended for the championship in a less-than-ideal car, but also showcased his versatility by winning his debut GT3 race at the Nurburgring, further cementing his reputation as one of the most outstanding drivers of his generation. Though Verstappen missed a fifth world title, his performances elevated him in the ongoing debate about F1’s all-time greats.
Ralf Schumacher Names All-Time F1 Pairing, Leaves Out Hamilton
The ongoing discussion over dream Formula 1 partnerships took center stage during an episode of Sky Sports F1 Germany’s ‘Backstage Pit Lane’ podcast. On air, former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher weighed in with his ultimate driver duo, unexpectedly bypassing Hamilton for his choices.
“My brother and Max Verstappen. That would be very interesting. They would get along well because they are both highly skilled and very sensible,”
Schumacher answered. – Ralf Schumacher, former F1 driver
He elaborated on the qualities of his selections, placing Michael Schumacher and Max Verstappen ahead of Hamilton in terms of overall driving brilliance.
“I think it would be a very healthy rivalry. But purely in terms of skill, they are the two best drivers I have seen since I started following Formula 1,”
explained the former F1 driver. – Ralf Schumacher, former F1 driver
The reasoning behind this preference, according to Schumacher, was rooted in both racers’ knack for excelling under immense pressure and consistently outperforming their teammates.
“Performing under pressure and always being faster than their teammate, really getting the best out of the car and the team, that’s what sets these two drivers apart,”
he added. – Ralf Schumacher, former F1 driver
Hamilton’s 2025 Race Results Reveal Struggles
A review of Lewis Hamilton Ferrari F1 performance throughout the 2025 season underscores the scale of the challenge he faced. His best finishes included a string of fourth places in Emilia Romagna, Austria, Great Britain, and the United States, while lower placements and a couple of DNFs (Did Not Finish) hampered his overall campaign. The results list sees 10th in Australia, DSQ in China, 7th in Japan, and a handful of sixth, seventh, and eighth-place finishes, with especially disappointing outcomes at Hungary, Netherlands, Brazil, and Qatar.
What Hamilton’s Exclusion Might Signal for Future Debates
The absence of Lewis Hamilton from Ralf Schumacher’s dream team pairing reflects a growing sentiment around the paddock that the landscape of Formula 1’s greatest is evolving, especially in light of new talent like Max Verstappen and the continuing legacy of Michael Schumacher. Hamilton’s rough start with Ferrari and being overshadowed by Charles Leclerc only intensifies scrutiny on his current standing among the sport’s legends. As the 2026 season approaches, the discussion of Hamilton’s place in F1 history—and whether he can reclaim his former dominance—remains open, with the spotlight firmly fixed on his next moves within Ferrari.
