Hamilton mid-season AXE threat revealed in....

Hamilton mid-season AXE threat revealed in….read more

Lewis Hamilton is set to make his long-awaited move to Ferrari in 2025, following a remarkable career with Mercedes. However, as the seven-time Formula 1 world champion prepares to join the Scuderia, a recent admission by former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher has cast doubt on Hamilton’s future at Ferrari, suggesting he could face the prospect of being sacked mid-season if his performance doesn’t meet expectations.

Hamilton’s final season with Mercedes in 2024 has been a turbulent one. The W15, Mercedes’ car for the year, suffered from performance issues that often left Hamilton frustrated, especially as he battled with his team-mate, George Russell, who outqualified him on 19 occasions during the season. This has raised questions about Hamilton’s pace, particularly in one-lap performance, and even the Briton himself expressed doubts about his abilities at certain points, notably after a disappointing showing in the Qatar Grand Prix.

Hamilton’s performance has been under intense scrutiny, as the 39-year-old faces increasing pressure in what is expected to be his farewell season with Mercedes before he moves to Ferrari. His struggles in 2024, compounded by the performance issues with the car, have led to criticism from various quarters, and his rivalry with Russell has become a focal point of the season. Despite his extraordinary career achievements, including his legendary title fight in Abu Dhabi in 2021, Hamilton’s future has been questioned by some, especially given his lack of victories in 2024.

Looking ahead to his move to Ferrari, Hamilton faces another challenge. He will join the team at a time when they are under pressure to perform, with the expectation of success being very high. Ferrari has not won a drivers’ championship since 2007, and their last constructors’ title came in 2008. The team is desperate for success, and they are placing their hopes on Hamilton’s experience and skill to deliver a title challenge.

However, former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher, speaking to Sport1, raised concerns about Hamilton’s ability to handle the intense pressure at Ferrari. Schumacher emphasized that Ferrari is a team where emotions run high, and the Italian team is notoriously impatient when things are not going well. “The expectations are high, as are the emotions,” Schumacher said. “People won’t be patient for more than six months if things don’t go well.”

Schumacher’s comments point to a crucial aspect of the Ferrari culture, where drivers and team members are often under immense pressure to deliver immediate results. Schumacher himself referenced the example of Michael Schumacher’s time at Ferrari in the early 2000s. Even though the team eventually succeeded in delivering multiple world championships, there was immense pressure on key figures like team principal Jean Todt during the earlier, more difficult years. If Hamilton struggles to perform at Ferrari, Schumacher suggested, there may be little tolerance for failure.

The idea of Hamilton being sacked mid-season may seem extreme, but Schumacher’s words highlight the unforgiving nature of Ferrari’s expectations. In a team as historically successful and passionate as Ferrari, failure to meet performance targets can lead to swift action. Schumacher warned that while Hamilton could benefit from the car potentially suiting his driving style, there was also the possibility that the pressure and expectations could overwhelm him, as it has done for others in the past.

Despite these concerns, Hamilton is not without his supporters. Many believe that his experience, resilience, and talent could help him thrive in the Ferrari environment, just as he did in difficult seasons with Mercedes. The 2021 season, in particular, demonstrated his ability to fight back against the odds and mount a serious challenge for the championship, even when the car wasn’t the best. If Ferrari is able to deliver a competitive car, there is every chance Hamilton could reignite his championship-winning form.

Nonetheless, the challenges facing Hamilton at Ferrari are significant. He will need to adapt quickly to a new team, a new car, and a new environment, all while under the intense spotlight of Ferrari’s demanding fanbase and leadership. As Schumacher pointed out, time is not on Hamilton’s side, and if he fails to live up to expectations, the axe could fall quickly.

In conclusion, while Hamilton’s move to Ferrari is an exciting prospect, it is also fraught with potential pitfalls. The pressure to perform will be immense, and if things don’t go well, he could face an uncertain future at the Scuderia. Only time will tell whether Hamilton can navigate the intense scrutiny and deliver the results Ferrari craves, or whether his time at the team could be cut short.