Lewis Hamilton‘s introduction to Ferrari has been so unremarkable that it has raised concern for his Formula 1 career, as noted by former driver Ralf Schumacher. After departing Mercedes last winter as the most successful driver in history, Hamilton currently ranks seventh in the drivers’ championship after five races with his new team.
His recent performance in Saudi Arabia was particularly disappointing, finishing in seventh place, trailing behind his teammate Charles Leclerc by 30 seconds, who secured third. In a post-race interview, a disheartened Hamilton expressed that the remainder of the year would be ‘painful’. Schumacher, a pundit for Sky Germany, elaborated on Hamilton’s struggles, citing the absence of speed and enthusiasm in his performances.
“He just can’t handle the car,” Schumacher remarked, comparing Hamilton’s predicament unfavorably to that of other drivers like Lando Norris. “When you’re standing there at some point and have no more resources and are constantly slowing down, then you lose everything,” he added. Schumacher noted that the experience might soon erode Hamilton’s motivation, rendering him unable to enjoy racing.
The approaching Miami Grand Prix promises an event filled with entertainment and celebrity glamour, but on the track, Hamilton is the center of attention. Despite the anticipation, Schumacher warns that another subpar weekend might force the former champion into reevaluating his commitment. “If this continues, there’s a danger that at some point he’ll say: ‘Look, I don’t want this anymore. I want to live my life now, I’m 40 years old,’” Schumacher suggested.
Hamilton and Ferrari embarked on a grand venture aiming for success, yet the disparity between him and Leclerc has been glaring. Schumacher was taken aback by the extent of the gap, acknowledging that although Hamilton has the potential to excel when car and track conditions align, as seen in Shanghai, his current achievements do not match expectations.
In Shanghai, Hamilton delivered a surprising performance by securing pole position in the sprint race and maintaining it to win. However, this victory does not count as a Grand Prix win, and Hamilton later fell behind Leclerc in the feature race, culminating in a disqualification for both due to separate violations.
Throughout feature races, Leclerc has consistently outperformed Hamilton in every event, including qualifying sessions where Leclerc leads 4-1. Hamilton’s contract with Ferrari is understood to run through 2026, coinciding with forthcoming regulation changes that could potentially shake up the competition.
As Hamilton confronts his current challenges, the Formula 1 community watches closely, pondering his ability to rekindle the drive that once made him the most formidable force on the grid. With doubts looming over his Ferrari future, the subsequent races will be critical in determining his legacy within the sport.
